The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-03
1t Is Now Turned Toward the
Standard Oil Co.
He Is Preparing to Probe the
Rockefeller Combine.
SOME ALARM is FELT
Lest the Monopoly Gain Control
of Entire Country.
Move Already Under Way to
Head OFF Inquiry.

New York, Dec Information to
the effect that there is a strong move
ment on foot in Washington, backed by
President Roosevelt to institute a fed
elal investigation of the Standard Oil
company and it's allied interests, Eas
been received by several prominent New
York f1nanciers. Although there have
been uncertain rumors regarding a pro-
posed inquiry current for several weeks.
nothing authoritative was learned until
now. Inquiries made by interested New
York business men have confirmed tie
news.
Mole than month ago President
Roosevelt is said to have expressed a
desire that a thorough inquiry be made
regarding the methods of the great
Rockefeller corporation. The charges of
rebating and wholesale discrimination
made BY writer's in the daily press ana
in magazines against the Standard Oil
management. as well as the representa-
lions of private individuals. greatly m
pressed the president.
Stin another development which at
tracted his attention was the apparent
effort on the part Of Standard Oil rep
resentatives to gain control Of the three
largest life insurance companies IN the
country.
I8E inference WnlCn is TO De ara WI IN
this connection is that alarm is felt in
washington lest the Rockefeller monop-
oily, possessed of the tremendous COM
bined surplus of these great Institutions,
Should become strong enough to defy
zen the government in any effort t
might wish to make in The direction CT
correcting abuses.
It is known that reputable citizens
of the middle west, aroused by what
thew termed the. criminal methods of
"a rH rafssr5 haAp
accorded lengthy hearings by Presi~
dent Roosevelt. Charges were made
by these men to the effect that the
Standard had caused the corruption
of many state and federal office hold
ers through the payment to them Of
large sums of money and by other
improper means.
These representations, in connec-
ton with the positive evidence ad-
duced by the Armstrong insurance
investigation to the effect that thou
sands Of dollars have been habitually
expended by the insurance interests
to influence legislation have caused
the president much uneasiness
While there was no direct conuee-
ton Between the insurance COM
panfes and the Standard Oil corpora
ton as to the undue influencing of
legislation. the revelations brought out
by Mr.. Hughes are taken as indfea-
tions of a general practice followed
by practically ali of the great cor
porations
The grounds on which a federal in
vestigation OF the Standard OH COM
pany might be prosecuted with fuIl
warrant Of law are said by certain
prominent lawyers to be plentiful. 1t
/ is known, however that a desperate
/ effort VIII be made by the Standard
( Oil representatives to prevent such an
/ inquiry such as outlined on the ground
OF lack. OF authority
The president is fully aware this
I-epposiion, and is prepared to meet
every obstacle. His position on the
+ matter of rebating~ as. practiced by the
railroads is well known and similar
/ grounds VIII be taken by the admin
! istration regarding its right to inves-