Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-02-03
A SENSATION.
THE DEAL WITH STAND
ARD OIL EXPOSED.

A letter from Charles ID. Elliott, a Re-
publican leader and general lobbyist, to
John Worthington, special agent for
Standard Oil, came to light at Charles
ton last Saturday and its contents Gre
ated sensation. The subject Of the
letter was House Bill No. 100 which
prohibits gas pumps in piping gas out
of the State, also prescribing the quality
Of pipe to be used, the pressure, 800 lbs,
sc. Elliott had been on hand secretly
surveying the situation ard the letter
was resume OF the conditions as he
found them. The Standard wants the
bill defeated but were keeping In the
dark. The letter exposes most out
RAJ eous deal with the State admins
tration and other prominent Republic
cans. Elliott says:
have had long talk with Speaker
Grosscop and he feels confident that
we can defeat the bill in the house even
If the senate passes IL. Our argument
among members of the house is that the
bill is in The interest.of the large COM
psnies to the detriment Of the small
ones. There are fewer gratters in the
house than / ever knew before, and We
seem to have them we'll In hand. The
Wood Cosnty delegates have neen en-
tirely tractable and / think will remain
so. l am not prepared to accept as GER
tain the views taken by Grosscup, but
it 10 sure we can win there unless the
house could be convinced that the
Standard wanted the bill defeated You
understsnd, of course, the fear in the
breast Of the average delegate from the
rural districts, and they are In the
minority. Now as to the senate am
| puzzled as to the true situation there.
Blizzard is trying to hold their original
eleven Together ard claims the five
democrats. which, If true, gives them a
clear majority not counting few Of
our origisal fellows who are susceptible
to change of heart. To Joe McDermott
| Blizzard said last night that the fight
was to show that Dawson and his
| frienda could not control the situation
and endeavored to lead Joe TO believe
that he controlled the situation. On
the other hand we are confident that
he knew nothing of when the bill would
I e called or oil the absence Of the sena-
tors, all of whom have been felt ard
say that they are against the bill, and
Colcord says he regrets that he was not
there and will be against it. Therefore
this would bear the earmaks of an ef-
fort at holdup without The ability to
deliver the goods On the other hand,
! am told that Ohley says the democrats
will vote against the bill, yet ] am con-
fiaept az one can be that they will vote
line. The " hissey men have Blizzaro
employed and they are ever lavish with
the cash, and this ;orce OF course, ce-
nleuts with the other. Stalnaker,
find, is IN c o touch aIl the time with
/ eiizzard, Co,uwsll AID kidd. McDer-
mott, cuuise don't know how 10 do
things ye', bHt | am giving him all the
Iirformetion eau and sIai'. over t.
help him personally We are doing all
W. can 10 break their ranks. Dawson
feels confident that they will weak n
every day and May joins in the belief
yet we are short OF floor managers IN
the senate at best. | am of the belief
that when we come to a show down We
will have enough votes TO defeat the
bill. Yet | am by no means sure.
see Blizzard apparently neighLorIy with
Wells and Ohley and they may see
things through other glasses from me.
Grosscup assures me that the bill will
be held in the committee Ia the house
indefinitely; but we must have some
I INDEPENDENT gas producers to 90
before the committee. Grosscup il
thoroughly awake, for personal reasons
to himself, therefore he can be depend
ed upon. We want to adjourn the sem
ate at noon tomorrow until Monday.
/ hardly think anyone even suspects
my interest in this matter, unless II be
some one who find is at times keep
ing an eye on me. / will keep you
posted and give you the situation just
| aa e.a Nayu trt,iy uoura