Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-23
PRESIDENT DETERMINED NO Eff
FORT SHALL BE SPARED TO
GET FACTS.
KANSAS WILL HAVE REFINERY
GOV. HocH SAYS THE TRUST
MUST BE DECENT OR QUIT
THE STATE.

w GU. L.
with the order of President Roosevelt
that the operations of the Standard Oil
company shall be vigorously investi-
gated" Mr.. Garfield commissioner of
corporations, is preparing for his con
f1ict with the octopus. Commissioner
Garfield has completed his inquiry into
the conduct of the so-called beef COM
bine, and is therefore ready to detail
his special agents on the Standard OH
investigation. About sixty of them are
available for this work, and Mr.. Gar
field will lose no time in taking up
what promises to be the most gigantic
as we'll as the most important work of
investigation undertaken since the de-
partment of commerce was created.
President Roosevelt is determined
that no effort shall be spared to prove
or disprove the various charges made
from time to time against the oil trust.
In his letter to Mr.. Garfield he said:
Garry out the terms Of the Campbell
motion vigorously at once"
Knows All About Beef Trust.
While the report of the beef trust
Investigation has not5yet been. sub
mitted, the president knows whether
or not it has been found that the com
bine violated the Injunction returned
against it by Judge Grosscup in Chi
cago, and also whether Commissioners
Garfield has in his possession evidence
sufficient to justify the administration
in instituting further proceedings
against the packers.
Very serious charges have been
made rejecting on Standard Oil treat,
.nent by corporations and individuals
in Kansas. These allegations are the
basis of the resolution which was so
promptly passed by the house. Stand
ard Oil is now under fire, and the mat.
| ter will be watched with great care.
Signs Refinery Bill.
| Topeka, Kan, Feb. 1s.-Kansas de
| sire for an oil refinery of it's own was
/ realized yesterday when Gov. Hoch
signed the bill appropriating 100000
for the erection and maintenance OF q
state plant. The bill was passed for
the avawed purpose of fighting the
| Standard Oil company. In returning
the law to the legislature after affix-
ing his signature thereto, Gov Hoch
sent with it lengthy message in
which he touched on the general ques-
ton of trusts.
mo greater question:" said he
'tconfronts the American people than
| the control of these great aggrega
tions of capital. We are all cropping in
the dark, but we
Win Get Out in the Light
after while. This Kansas contribu
| ton to the solving of this great prob
| lem may or may not be wise one, but
| it is at least an honest and courageous
| one
Gov. Hoch said that the present leg
| islation was not an attempt to drive
| the Standard Oil company from the
state nor to deprive it of its rights
ut is not an attempt to establish mo
1 nopoly, but an attempt to compel
monopoly already existing to be de
cent"
He said that when normal condi
| lions were again restored, the stale
would be glad to withdraw from the
business of refining oiol and leave il
in the hands of private competitors
where it legitimately belongs"
/ Gov. Hoch urged the legislature tt
/ 20 further and adopt other restrictive
legislation to prevent the manipula
tion Of railroad rates by the STANDARD
Oil.
Colorado Follows Suit.
4 Denver, Colo, Feb. 18.-A bill TO
1 the establishment os state oil re
| finery was introduced in the Colorado
legislature yesterday by Representa-
tive Wilder. The bill provides for al
4 appropriation Of $125,OOO for the cree
ton and operation Of a refinery.
May lmpeach White.
Charleston w Va Feb. l9-Afte