Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-02-23
WOULD HAVE
SQUARE DEAL
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SAYS
STANDARD OIL MUST BE
FAIR.
WILL EXTENDTH FIGHT
Not Only In Kansas But Elsewhere
the "oiI Trust'' win Be Met with a
Demand for Absolute Fairness
Beef Case in Chicago.

Beef Case in Chicago.
Action of States Against Oil Trust.
Observation-Disclosures were induced
by Standard to raise freight rates on
oil, and independent pipe line to sea-
board is projected.
Illinois--Resolution asking legisla-
ture to investigate laying of pipe lines
through Illinois by trust, and to have
committee confer with Kansas legisla-
tors as to methods of regulating such
lines
ADMINISTRATIONS bin, introduced
in behalf of oilmen, will give damages
to persons injured by Standard Oil
company and. require forfeit Of char
ter.
Kansas-Both branches of legisla-
ture called on President, secretary of
the interior, and congress to annul
leases made to Standard Oil company
eight years ago by Usage Indians.
Fraud is charged. Independent inves-
tigation of trust likely. Action on an
discrimination bill deferred until
Friday.
Missouri--Bill to subject Standard
Oil company pipe lines to restrictions
lis being prepared.
Nebraska-Bill recommended for
passage to protect independent deal
erS.
Oklahoma-Measure will be intro
duced to require all oil dealers in ter
r1tory to sell product at same price.
! Government officials
investigating at Pittsburg in belief old
rebate system" which killed inde-
pendent refiners' business. still is in
operation between railroads and STAN
dard Oil company; contracts for oil
ing cars the scheme. Independent pipe
line company to fight Standard in
Scranton.
Texas-Legislatur is taking steps
to make all pipe lines common carriers
and give state power to fix rates.
Observation-Disclosures grocers who
suffered from trust discrimination will
move for more stringent legislation;
antitrust bill now in legislature.
Springfield, ILL.,, Feb. PA resolu.
ton was adopted in the house today
providing for the appointment of a
>committee to confer with the Kansas
| legislature as to the scope and extent
of the pipe lines of the Standard Oil
company in order that the legislature
may protect the people and CONNER.
cial interests of Illinois. ~
! t. E ~. .
| Washington, D. c., Feb. 21.-Actfon
as drastic as possible under the laws
of this country Is to be taken against
the Standard Oil combination not only
in Kansas, but in whatever parts OF
the country President Roosevelt be
lieves the great combination has used
Its powers SO as to deny square
deal" to its comparatively weak com
petitors.
What is regarded as a promise to
that effect voluntarily was given to
Representative Campbell of Kansas
by President Roosevelt yesterday. Al
the same time there was discussion
as to the best methods to show the
Standard Oil company it cannot con
tinue the course it is charged with
having pursued recently in Kansas.
Will Prosecute the Agents.
One of the methods to be used con
sists of prosecutions Of local agents
or corporations through which the
Standard operates. In order that &C
ton may be taken against them as
speedily as possible, there is to be q
close cooperation between the inves
tigating agents of the bureau of cor
porations and the officers of the de
partment of justice. Heretofore in al
Inquiries made by the bureau of cor
porations the department Of justice
has not been invited to consider any
of the facts uncovered until after the
/ bureau has finished it's work.
Will Begin Work in Kansas.
There was a long talk between
/ President Roosevelt and Represent
alive Campbell yesterday and later il
| the day the President had long tall
with Commissioner of Corporation,
4 Garfield, by whom the investigation ii
to be made. The determination to be
gin work in Kansas was not changed
4 but to that plan was added the detail
of having the officers of the depart
ment of justice kept fully advised o
every discovery by the agents Blu
4 reau.
4 Kansas. however, will not be treatet
as an entity in the conduct Of the in
quiry. Whenever the clew leads out o
Kansas it will be followed, regardless
4 whether that states lines may b.
crossed in following it to the point o
origin or termination. In followin,
the various leads it is expected tn,
i whole subject OF the Standards actiy
i tiles will be brought before the eye
| of the agents for inquiry.
4 President Demands "Square Deal"
4 Il believe violate no confidence
when say President Roosevelt is de
4 termined the Standard Oil compan,
must be made to understand the ad
ministration will insist that every lii
tile competitor must have squar
deal" said Representative Campbell ii
discussing the subject. THE Presiden
Irealizes fully he has undertaken a BIZ
task to inquire into the operations o
4 the Standard Oil company, and re
quest that the combination refrai1
4 from doing an injustice to its compel
itors. 4 believe he will undertake t.
do something in this matter that will
cause the people hereafter to say tina
he made good his purpose to give ever
man square deal.
4 II am not trust buster,'' conclude,
the representative. 81 would not de
prive the Standard Oil of the least O
its rights but it seems to me Amer