The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-03-06
INVESTIGATION
OF OIL INDUSTRY
Commissioner Garfield Ready to Be-
Gin Work.
WILL GET ALL THE FACTS
REPORT WILL BE MADE TO
ROOSEVELT.

IAI ASHINGTON, March 5.-COmmis-
wv sioner James r. Garfield of the
bureau Of corporations has insti-
tuted a rigid investigation of the oper-
atoms of the oil industry in Kansas and
contiguous states. In response to
resolution of the house of representa-
tives, introduced by Representative
Campbell of Kansas, the investigation
of the oil industry will be carried on
as rapidly as is consistent with thor
oughness.
The report of Commissioner Garfield
Will be made directly to President
Roosevelt. Whether it will be made
public will lie within the discretion of
the chief executive.
may be turned over to the department
Of justice for such action as the attor-
ney general may deem proper.
Nothing Will be Left Undone.
COMMISSIONER GARFIELD said today
that nothing would be left undone by
his bureau to develop the facts regard
ing the operations of the oil trust in
Kansas, as well as in other states. 1t
is not the purpose of Commissioner
Garfield to cOnfine the inquiry TO KAN
sas. 1t Will not be circumscribed by
state or geographical lines. 1t IS the
intention of the commissioner to make
the investigation as exhaustive as the
resolution of Representative Campbell
contemplates. the purpose being to de-
velOp all the facts regarding the opera
tons of the oil trust.
During the past year said Commits
sioner Garfield to the Associated Press,
"a great amount of general Informal
ton relating to the oil trust has been
obtained This affords a basis from
which to undertake immediate specific
inquiries into the conditions existing in
specific fields, such as Kansas, Texas
and California.
Same Methods Employed.
'sThe method of procedure will be
similar to that followed inVestfgat-
ing the operations of the beef trust.
The commissioners CT corporations per-
sonally and through special agents will
obtain information from original
sources. Already these sources of in
formation have been sounded. They
have responded to the commissioner of
corporations by agreeing to furnish in
format ton; to afford the fullest oppor-
tunity for inspection of records and &C
counts. and 10 answer all questions per-
tinent to all matters involved in the in
quiry."
1t is the intention of Commissioner
Garfield. under direction of President
Roosevelt. to make the inquiry into the
operations of the oil trust as complete
ana exhaustive as possible NOJnlnS
viii be left undone that will develop a
single fact relating to the work of the
trust, and if it has ben unjust in dis
elimination against the producers of
oil in Kansas or in any other state the
inquiry will show il. 1t is pointed out
that the oil trust through its pipe
lines. is not common carrier under the
law and it cannot be compelled to car
ry oil from any given field unless the
producers accede to its terms. The oil
trust maintains that it has conducted
its business not only in accordance with
the law but in perfect regard to recog-
nized business principles, and that,
therefore, tits perfectly willing to have
the government make as rigid an in
quiry as it may desire into its methods
of doing business