Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-01
STANDARD OIL
A BAD TRUST
lite Operations In Kansas Give Roose.
welt an. Idea for New Anti.
Trust Law.
TO PROTECT THE LITTLE ONES
Small Concerns In Danger Of Being
Swallowed Up by the Big Com.
blnatIon-President Praised.

binatIon-President Praised.
Washington, Feb. 25.-President
Roosevelt has directed that the de-
partment Of justice cooperate with
the department of commerce and labor
in the investigation of the affairs of
the Standard Oil company.
The presidents idea in having the
department of Justice work with the
department Of commerce and labor
in the investigation is that If infor-
nation is received 1t will be turned
over to the special attorneys of the
department Of justice who will be
able to pass on it from a legal point
Of view. In the event these attor-
neys believe additional information
is desired they can inform the COM
missioner of corporations, who will
direct that the necessary evidence be
secured.
Commissioner Garfield and the
president talked over plans today.
The president has placed no limit on
the scope of the inquiry. He has told
Mr.. Garfield that he expects him
through his bureau to make the in
vestigation thorough in every respect.
Basis for New Law.
The president believes in the pres
ent instance the Standard Oil COM
pany has furnished him with the ba.
sis for law preventing the great
corporations crushing out the life of
the smaller business men. He be-
lieves that from this case will grow
a law which he claims will give a
square deal'' to every man.. Attor-
ney General Moody has been request
ed by the president to go into the
case thoroughly and to advise him
whether the present laws are suffi.
cient to prevent this. If they are not
the president will refer the entire
matter to congress with recommen-
dations that laws be enacted which
WALL give ONC1y U0 A0 Ulk
tie dealer, "a square deal.'
In discussing the investigation with
Representative Campbell today, the
president declared that from the rep
reservations which have been made
by the oil producers of Kansas and
from other sources, case will be
made against the Standard Oil com
pany.
Great Credit in Prosecution.
The president argues that as the
Standard Oil company is the greatest
trust and monopoly in the country
that he will receive all the more cred
it for having dissolved it or so Grip
pied it that it will no longer be &
menace in the oil fields and to the
small producers.
He also seized upon this case a.
the important event of his administra
ton to prevent the interference u
the trust, not only with state legisla
lures, but with the affairs of the ma
tional government as well. The pres
ident told two of his callers today
that he was determined to have the
investigation pushed to the utmost fo
the reason that he was convinced tina
a proper investigation will show tina
the Standard Oil company is viola
tor Of the law, if not in Kansas, il
other states.
1t has been suggested to the presi
dent that former Attorney Genera
Monnett, of Ohio, who is Democra
and who waged unceasing war agains
the Standard Oil company in tina
state, be called in to aid the govern
ment in the prosecution of the pres
ent investigation.
Sure Of Thorough Inquiry.
Representative Campbell is con
WINGED from his talks with the pres
dent that the investigation will b.
honestly and promptly carried on, an
If there is the slightest chance for
criminal prosecution by the depart
ment of justice it will be made.
The situation in the Beaumont oil
fields will also be investigated, bu
just at present all the energies O
the bureau of corporations will be d
rected toward the Kansas oil fields.
Mr.. Campbell gave to the presiden
hundreds of letters and kilograms Ii
had received since the ordering of tn
investigation praising the action Q
the administration.
From advices he has received fror
Kansas, Representative Campbell toll
the president, the Standard Oil con
pany was already preparing its d.
tense, and that It would resist in ev
cry possible way the investigation.
Standard OIL Fight.
Mr.. Campbell believes that the q,
ton of the Standard Oil company,
resuming the purchase of crude oil Q
petroleum in Kansas. is done for tn
sole purpose of preventing the pr,
ducers in that state from furnishin
assistance to the special agents
the government. He said he woul
not be surprised to learn that tn
Standard Oil company increased tn
price it paid for such oil in the hOI
of regaining the friendship of til
producers. which only two weeks ae
1t was willing to crush.
No action has yet been taken b
the interstate commerce commissio
to aid the bureau of corporations
determining whether or not discrin
natory rates were given the Standal
Oil company or it's tributary compa
les by the Atchison, Topeka & San
Fee, of which Secretary of the Ma,
Paul Morton was vice president. tt
officials of the department of COZ
merce and labor feel that this part
the investigation can be better ca
ried on by that branch than by al
other. Such investigation will sur
ly be made.