The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-06
INVESTIGATING OIL INDUSTRY Garfield Goes at the W0rk
 in Earnest. REPORTS TO PRESIDENT
 - < Proceedings Will Be RapId
 and Thorough. Alleged Trust Sure of its GrounA anG Says That 1t is wiliins to Have
 an Examination
REPORTS TO PREsIDENT

Washington, March 5.--Commissioner James R.. Garfield. of the Bureau ot Corporations has instituted rigid inc vestigation of the operations of the oil industry in Kansas and contiguous States. In response to resolution of the House of Representatives introduc- ed by Representative Campbell of Kan~ sas the investigation of the oil industry will be carried on as rapidly as is con~ sistent with thoroughness.
 The report of Commissioner Garfield will be made directly to President Roosevelt. Whether 1t will be made public will lie within the discretion Of the chief executive. Depending on the facts developed it may be turned over to the Department of Justice for such action as they may deem proper MT. Garfield said today that nothine would be left undone by his bureau to develop the facts regarding the opera- tfons of the oil trust in Kansas as well as in other States. It is not the purpose of Commissioner Garfield to confine the inquiry to Kansas. It will not be cir cumscribed by State or geographical lines.
 During the past year said the come missioner to tho Associated Press. "a great amount of general Information relating to the oil trust has been ob- tained. This affords a basis on which to undertake immediate specific inqui- ries into the conditions existing in specific fields. such as Kansas, Texas and Florida.
 The method of procedure will be similar to that followed in the inquiry into operations of the alleged beer trust. The commissioner of corpora tions personally and trusted assistants will obtain information from original sources. Already these sources of in- formation have been sounded. They have responded to the commission of corporations by agreeing to furnish in- formation, to afford the fullest oppor-
 tunity for inspection of records. and ac- counts and to answer all inquiries per tinent to all matters involved In the inquiry"
 win Be Exhanssise.
 It Is the intention of Commissfoner Garfield. under direction of President Roosevelt to make the inquiry into the operations of the oil trust as exhaust i've as possible. Nothing will be left undone that will develop single fact relating to the work of the trust, and If 1t has been unjust in discrimination against the producers of oil in Kansas or in any other States that the in quiry will show it. It is pointed out that the oil trust, through It's pipe ihiSS' 10 hOt d COIuiIlOH CdfTleT unQeE the law, and 1t cannot be compelled to carry oil from any given field unless the producers accede to It's terms The oil trust maintains that it has con- ducted its business not only in accord- ance with the law but in perfect re- gard to recognized business principles and that therefore 1t Is perfectly wiI- ling to have the Government to make as rigid inquiry as it may desire into it's methods of doing business
 It Is the purpose of Commissioner Garfield to make the investigation as thorough as possible. He personality will go to Kansas and perhaps to oth- CT oil fields in the conduct Of the in- quiry. Every ramification of the lr- vestigation will be followed whether 1t lead across State lines or not. It may lead from Kansas to Texas. from Texas to California. and from CaiIor- mia; but wherever 1t may lead it will be followed in an earnest endea s so ascertain all the facts regarding the operations of the alleged oil trust
 As soon as the Investigation is com- pleted and 1t will be completed in ac- cordance with the expectations of President Roosevelt. the findings will be transmitted to President Roosevelt. if in his Judgment, the facts warrant an inquiry by the Department of Jus tice the facts will be turned over to Attorney General Moody with instruSs tions to proceed according to law.