The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-06
1T WILL BE THOROUGH.
Standard Oil Investigation Not Con-
fined to Kansas.

Washington, March 6-Commissioner
James r. Garfield, of the bureau of cor
orations, has instituted a rigid exami-
nation of the operations of the oil in
dustry in Kansas and contiguous
states. In response to a resolution of the
house of representatives introduced. by
Representative Campbell, of Kansas,
the investigation of the oil industry will
be carried on as rapidly as is consist
ent with thoroughEAss.
The report of Commissioner Garfield
will be made directly to President
Roosevelt. Whether it will be made
public viii lie within the discretion of
the chief executive
Depending on the facts developed it
may be turned over to the department
of Justice for such action as the attor-
ney general may deem proper.
Commissioner Garfield said that Moth
ing would be left undone by his bu-
reau to develop the facts regarding the
operation of the oil trust in Kansas, as
well as in other states 1t IS not the
p1Irpose of Commissioner Garfield TO
confine the inquiry to Kansas. IL VIII
not be circumscribed by state or geo.
graphical lines It is the intention of
the commissioner to make the investi-
cation as exhaustive as the resolution
of Representative Campbell cOntem-
plates, the purpose being to develop all
the facts regarding the operations of
the oil trust.
During the past year." said Commis-
sioner Garfield to the Associated Press,
"a great amount of general information
relating to the oil trust has been OBJ
tained. This affords a basis from which
to undertake immediate specific in
quiries into the conditions existing in
specific fields, such as Kansas, Texas
and California The method of prOce-
dure will be similar to that followed in
the inquiry into the operations of the
alleged beef trust. The commissioner
of corporations personally and through
special agents will obtain information
from original sources. Already these
sources of information have been
sounded. They have responded to the
commissioner of corporations by agree
ing to furnish information, to afford the
fullest opportunity for inspection OF
records and accounts and to answer all
questions pertinent to all matters IN
Yolved in the iquiry."
1t is the intention of Commissioner
Garfield under direction of President
Roosevelt. to make the inquiry into the
operations of the oil trust as compre-
hensive and exhaustive as possible
Nothing Will be left undone that VIII
develop a single fact relating to the
work of the trust. and if it has been
unjust in discrimination against the
producers of oil in Kansas or IN any
other state, the inquiry Will show It. II
is pointed out that the oil trust,
through its pipe lines is not a common
carrier under the law, and it cannot
be compelled to carry oil from any Civ
en- field unless the producers accede TO
its terms. The oil trust maintains thal
it has conducted its business not only in
accordance with the law, but in perfect
regard to recognized business prlnclples
and that, therefore, it is perfectly Will
ing to have the government make as
rigid an inquiry as it may desire, into
its methods of doing business