The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-25
SIDE B SIDE.
Independent Oil ReRners Form
an Organization.
viii Take Steps to Prevent
Hostile Legislation.
WRITE TO CANDIDATES
-
Ask That Present Laws Be Let
Alone.
Want to Place Harris and Hoch
on Record.
WRITE TO CANDIDATES.

bfaclnS IA OF the 10 reAner1es in the
state. The object of the association
is to protect the Independent oil re-
] dneries of Kansas from legislation fni--
mical to their interests and to prevent,
if possible, the amendment or repeal of
the protective legisla ton now on the
statute books. The legislative commit
tee of the association win have
active charge Of the work at Topeka,
Jefferson City, Lincoln and other capl-
tails where legislatures will meet this
winter. This committee is composed of
Frank 3. Fretter, National Refining
company; ]. A. Fleming, Paola Rein
ing company; J. J. Burt, Rollin Rein
ing company; E. c. Elicit, Kansas Re
f1ning company, ana A. F. Robertson,
Uncle Sam OIL company.
The association proper elected W. S.
Cochrane Of Chanute, president and
Il Il. MARCEL OF Chanute secretary.
The following letter has been sent to
Governor Hoeh and to Col. w. A. Har-
ris. candidates for governor:
Dear Sir:--Rep resentfngT the indie
pendent refiners of oil in Kansas would
respectfully show:
There are IA independent refneries
in Kansas located at CheFryvale Atch-
1BSon; humboldt Erie, Longton, Niotaze,
Paola, Kansas City and, six on and
around Chanute. That there has been
erected at each Of these plants, storage
tanks, substantial buildings and all
OAHGE necessary IOT the carry
ing on Of the business That these re-
fneries have laid more then $50 miles
Of pipe line in the state That they own
tank cars, tank wagons real estate in
various cities for the location of stor-
age tanks and storage tanks located
thereon. That there is now active COM
petition in the sale of refined oils in
the following places in Kansas: Cha
mute, Cherryvale, Erie, Longton, Paola,
i Niotazes Humb oldt, Kansas City, AtchI-
son, WINFIELD, Wellington, Wichita,
Anthony, Salina, Hutchinson, Concor-
dia, Topeka. LeavenWorth,1 Kansas
City, Lawrence, Ottawa, Olathe. hide
i pendence, Pittsburg, Mineral, Fort
4 Scott, Clay Center, 1zl Dorado, Empor-
ia, Garden City, Iiawatha, Parsons.
From these towns tank wagons reach
all nearby places until at this time we
can confidently assert that more than
one-half Of the population of Kansas
IS being reached by the Independent re-
nnerles. That the competitive territory
in the state is being rapidly extended
until every. county seat town in Kansas
viii have the opportunity to buy indie
pendent oil before the legislature meets.
Two years az q when tae independ-
ent movsmentf was Inaugural in
Kansas the average price for refined
oils in this state was fourteen cents
per gallon. That the average price at
ftniS TIME IS seven and one half cents
per gallon. That the average con-
sumption of refined oils in Kansas per
day is one hundred thousand gallons
& per day. That this reduction in price
a is due directly to the energy and the
q business methods. of the independent
I refineries and reaches the enormous
total of $2,372, 10000 per year. That
this money formerly went out of the
state whereas now it remains in the
state and has become an integral part
of the prosperity of Kansas. That not
only has the price of refined oils been
reduced nearly fifty per cent. but that
the quality Of refined oils sold in the
-fr has hoo ~
Kansas consumer can boast that he is
getting as good oil as is sold in the
United States.
THAT the actual Investment by the
independent refneries in the appur-
tenances necessary for the proper con-
duct of their business amounts in
round numbers to $4,000. 10000. That
they are constantly increasing their
investment. That they have increased
the taxable values of the state to that
extent and are contributors to the
revenues Of more than thirty counties
in the state. That this investment is
permanent. That they are furnishing
employment to a large number OF men
and will employ a larger number as
conditions demand and Justify it.
THAT they have been from the be-
ginning, hampered, restricted. and in
terfered with, in the carrying on Of
their business. by the Standard OIL
company and that they are today be-
ing hampered, interfered with and
restricted by the Standard Oil COM
pany. through methods which have
long ago received just condemnation
from all honest men, That the Stand
ard Oil company, an organization pri-
marily in restraint of trade, has used
! all its powerful machinery to crush
competition in Kansas and is using it
| today unchecked by law, although we
believe there is adequate remedy on
the statute books of the state now. Not
only has the. Standard Oil company
T ii all of IA mil 0r7c
of warfare in its efforts to crush indie
pendent competition in this state. but
it has been almost successful in build
ing a Chinese wall around the state
preventing outside competition except
in Iowa where Legislation protecting
the Industry has been enacted
THAT two laws passed by the last
legislature of this state fixing the
maximum rate on freight and pre-
venting discrimination in prices have
been the great buiwarks Of protection
s to these industries and are responsible
for their creation. The repeal of these
laws would be little short of destruc-
! tive It would be calamitous in the
extreme. It would enable the Stand
ard OH company to again further
shaclzle the business and return to
the old system.
1--WE are fully satisfied that the peo-
pie of Kansas do-not desire the repeal
/ Of these laws We are fully satisfied
4 that the people of Kansas have been
greatly benefited as result Of their
opera don and we desire to ask you, Il
elected governor. VIII you sign 4 bill
/ repealfner or modifying in any par
: ticular either Of these laws by which
: alone the independent ref1neries in
: Kansas have grown to position
among the great industries Of the
state.
eThe H1id-Conunent Refners' sAsso-
: eiation.
I. "Bv w. s. COCHRANE, President
-r nc ~
We wish to express our heartfelt