The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-06

ASKING the Franklin county delegation
in the state legislature to support the
state oil refinery bill was circulated in
this city yesterday and received over
one hundred signatures. Mr.. Foster
carried the petition, and says he did
not meet with q single person who re-
fused to sign it or who was not eager
70 place his name thereon. This is
certainly a good expression of the SEN
timent ON the oil refinery question.
Augusta Journal: Opponents of the
state oil refinery argue that the state
may not engage in the business of
manufacturing. As an abstract prin-
clple TINS Is correct, but it is the duty
OF the state to promote the general
welfare of its citizens, and if engaging
IN any manufacturing business will
prevent the robbery of any consider
able number of its citizens, then it is
the duty of the State to engage in
the manufacturing business, and the
highest law-making power, the su-
preme court, viii SO hold
Garden City Imprint: The propo-
s1tlon for Kansas to establish a state
OIL refinery has caused a drop in price
- e EMS On the refined product The
stare should go ahead even if the price
should go down below cost of produc-
ton, as the lowering prices at this
tln1e IS one of the Standards methods.
Here are a few comments on the
question OF an oil refinery:
sauna journal: Governor Hoch seems
to have changed front on the question
of a state oil refinery since he wrote
his message to the legislature and. in
deeds since he made a. speech before the
Kansas Day club last Monday night
he IS now opposed to the bill creating
a STATE OIL fennery, and instead of that
he wants the legislature to appropriate
$4,000 with which to fight the Stan
dard OH company. Those who are in
clined to cr1ticise the governor, should
111 - -
provocation for a. flop" was great The
Kansas City journal, -voicing always
the sentiment of the railroads has been
hammering the administration over the
head ever since the governors message
was issued on the state refinery cues-
ton The Journal was instrumental in
defeating Bailey for the nomination be-
cause he displeased the railroads, and
Hoch, knowing so well what defeated
Bailey would naturally be slow to fly
in the face of such opposition. And then
there is Stubbs the Rock Island con-
tractor, and Hoch'S general manager
the proposition, OF course. The people
of Kansas voted an expression of con-
fdence in the Kansas City Journal and
the railroad contractor at the Wichita.
convention. They have some rights in
the matter which HOch cannot we'll
overlook. This paper has no word of
criticism to offer on the question of the
governors flop" The wonder is that
Hoch had the nerve to go so far against
their wishes in his message as to say:
''If an arrogant and almost 0mnipot-
ent monopoly is to control in any bust
ness circle the competitive system is
slaughtered in the house of it's friends,
for monopoly is but one form of social
ism maSquerading under the name of
competition. Monopoly destroys COM
petition, and that is all socialism does,
considered from an industrial stand
point. Rather, therefore than permit
he To Of In
benefits of the vast reservoirs of oil
which have been stored by the Creator
beneath the soil, I am inclined to waive
my objection to the socialistie phase of
this subject and recommend the estab-
lishment of an Oil refinery of our own
in our state for the preservation of our
wealth and the protection of our pee-
pie ettss 5ti7q ~ =71 ra 49,
Kansas City Star: The inception OF
the war on Rockefellerism on Kansas
soil will lend a strong sentimental in
terest to the conflict. The people of the
joyous alacrity the opportunity held out
to them by the Standard Oil company
to maintain the shining prestige of
their now powerful commonwealth as
the battle ground of freedom.
Who will come forward in Kansas as
the John Brown of the crusade against
monopolist slavery Pa thing more
hateful and dangerous and demOraliz-
worst estate.
PhilIipsburg sDispatch: It will of
course take a little money to build a
refinery, but one can see at a glance
that the state, with a refinery can pay
the producer double the price he now
gets for the crude oil, and can sell the
refined product to the consumer for at
least half what he now pays, and still
make an enormous profit
If being in favor of state refinery,
under these circumstances, makes one
a socialist, then the editor of this good
old rock ribbed Republican truth teller
is willing to stand up and be counted, |
for we are most heartily In favor of the
and are willing to take chances |
on the socialistic tendencies of such
move.
Salina Journal: 1t is a mistake to
say that Governor Hoch has gone back
tirely. He is in favor of appropriating
S25, 900 for it and that would be a
plenty to buy the blue print and take a
photograph for the newspapers OF the
proposed plant
Coffeyville Record: There is move on
foot at present to send Speelsal IRAN 70
residents who want Kansas gas LOT Kan
Mavor Vaughn. who returned from To-
peka yesterday morning, where ne mas
been mixing with the Solons, came nome
with the fact forcibly before them that
there is a fight coming on in the legisla-
ture and it is going to require the energy
and strength of-the Gil ana gas oeit L.
win it.
The mayor will advise with number of
citizens this morning in regard TO charter-
ing a special train
rs is going to take the entire strength
Of the gas belt to get the needed legisia-
Iion," said the mayor last night think
the special train with 500 gas for Kansas
enthusiasts aboard, all poured IN on on the
ieve that that many people can be in
1uced to 60
Market GOSSIP