The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-13
They Are for the Refinery,
He Says.
Governor Flooded With Letters
and Petitions.
MADE A MIS- TAX E.
Stringent Measures of Standard
Have Little Effect.
Question VIII Be Before House
Wednesday.
THEY WILL BACKFIRE.
Talk of Opposing Indian Ter
ritOry Leases.
Trust Now Turning Attention
i'm That Direction.
Stringent Measures of STANDARD
Have Little Effect.
Question VIII Be Before House
Wednesday.
THEY WILL BACKFIRE.
Talk of Opposing Indian Ter.
ritOry Leases.
Trust Now Turning Attention
i'm That Direction.


Governor Hoch is hearing from the
people of the state on the subject of
a state oil refinery He said today:
I am receiving a great many let
ters about this matter. and am hear
ing both sides of the case. The ma
jority of these letters are from peo-
pie who want the state refinery. but
there are many who oppose this idea.
just this morning I received a COM
munication from a Kansas independ-
ent Gil company, urging me to oppose
the state refinery proposition
What viii you likely do in case
the. bill is passed by the house, and
comes up to you for your signature?' -
4 don't care to say anything about
that" said the governor. Whatever
I might say on the subject would be
construed as an effort to influence
the legislature one way or the other
Il will say this: that the sentiment
of a majority of the people of the
state seems to be for a state re-
hnery."
The fact that some Kansas oil com
panies are lining up in opposition to
the state refinery bill is significant.
It indicates that the blow directed by
the Standard Oil company has
touched in a tender place; that they
are willing to surrender to the Stand
ard for the sake of finding immediate
market for their oil. Nevertheless the
demand of the people of the state is
for a state refinery. and the people
are willing that few oil companies
shall suffer temporarily if the greatest
good to the state can ultimately be
secured. The oil which is under the
surface Of the state viii stay there
until it is needed
1t is highly probable that the next
move of the Standard will be to strike
a blow at the oil consumer by rais-
ing the price Of refined oil. No doubt
by such an act, the Standard would
argue that it could entirely Stifle the
clamor for a state refinery. 1t seems
to have stopped the mouths of some
of the Oil producers by refusing to buy
their product, and possibly it could
stop the mouths of the consumers by
a stiff increase in refined oil prices
There is not much show. however,
that the Sandbagging and buudozfng
the desired effect in Kansas. The
people have their fighting clothes on.
and they will insist upon their demand
that the state protect itself for all
time from Standard Oil monopoly.
On Wednesday, Feb. Is, the refinery
bill will come UP in the house COM
mittee of the whole, and the indica-
tiOns are that it will take the same
course as did the women's suffrage
bill 1t will be sharply debated in
committee of the whole, then favor
ably reported, and then put on third
reading and passed. 1t will then be
up to Governor Hoch to decide
whether he will listen to the advice
of his chief lieutenautS. or to the de-
mands of the people of Kansas.
There is no let up in the influx of
letters and petitions to members ef
the legislature, asking for their sup
port for the refinery bill. G. s. Beck
man said today;
II have received from my constituents
in Cowley county petition long enough
to reach clear across the hail Of the
house of representatives. asking me to
support the bill. I could not stand
against such a popular demand"
DR.. S. S. Glasscock, while at his home
in Kansas City yesterday, gave out the
following interview to the Kansas City
papers:
The fight is red hot. When the oil
bill comes uD at o'clock Wednesday
afternoon the house will be crowded to
suffOcation- We will probably spend
all afternoon in discussing the bill
know that some of the members are on
posed to the state refinery idea but
there are not enough of them to defeat
the measure. The house has been poll
ed and eighty out of 125 members were
found to favor the bill The freight rate
bill viii come up Tuesday and will
probably pass
Saturday night the Usage City Com
mercial club held a meeting. the pur-
pOSe OF WnlCn was TO spike the state
refinery gun in that county. and hold
up the hands of Senator Miller. who is
fighting the bill. The president of the
Commercial club is T J. O'Neil mem
Der of the Hutchinson reformatory
board and man who is very anxious
to do something to show his loyalty to
Governor Hoch and the administration
faction. Ee thought that he would
make a hit" with the administration
by getting the solid endorsement of the
Usage City club for the governors
position He brought the matter before
the club and said that an informal bal
lot should be taken. and the club sho1lfd
unanimously endorse what ever this in
formal ballot showed. The ballot was
taken and it showed that the majority
of TIE memb RS of the club favored the
state refinery. The Usage county peo-
pie do not seem inclined to assist in the
elevation Of their senator's upper ex-
trar7ities
The oil controversy is involving the
Indian Territory fields and it is renort-
ed that the GENERATORS at Jartlesvilie
have invited the Standard to make
that place the center of their opera
tions.
The Kansas LEGISLATORS are in posi-
tion to start q back fire and it NAV re-
sult in the legislature asking the Kan