The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-08-10
OIL TRUST APPEALS
TO THE PRESIDENT
Standard Goes Over Head
of Secretary Hitchcock
for Decision.
GREAT FIGHT FOR OIL LANDS
Secretary OF the Interior Sought to
Prevent a Monopoly Being Acquired
by a Standard Agent.

The Standard Oil Company has appeal
ed over the head Of the Secretary Of tho
Interior and carried directly up to the
President it's fight for control OF the
Greal oil field OF Indian Territory. The
right Of the Standard 10 retain immense
holdings of oil lands on which IT has
secured leases is involved In the appeal
- the President. Legal questions. II is
expected, VIII finally determine tie mat
ter.
Fully 1900 900 acres Of the most valuG-
bic oil lands in the world are directly In
yolyed. and indirectly. IL is said, the
general domination of this entire dis
trict. The lands are those Of the Usage
and Cherokee Indian tribes,
To Prevent Monopoly.
Secretary Hitchcock in preparing for
the leasing Of these lands took utmost
care TO prevent their being monopolized
lie stipulated that not over 4.S00 acres
should be held by one lessee. and made
restrictions that were expected TO make
speculation ia the lands utterly impossi-
BILE. The Standard OH Company WAS try
ing 10 get into the region, and IL was
against this concern that the regula-
tiCus were especially aimed.
II turns out that with all the care eN-
ercised the Standard was too willy for
the department. independent opera
tors got leases on the coveted lands. and
then T.. y Bansdall. representing the
Standard interests. bought mp a great
number OF these leases. covering, 1t is
stated. about 10000 acres. Now the
Standard wants the restrictions and
lease terms so construed as 10 enable
IL 10 remain in possession Of the lands
IL is understood 10 insist that 10 IS not
violating any of the lease conditions.
while Secretary Hitchcock urges that it
Is so doing Unable 20 make a break in
the Secretary's opposition. the Standard
people set about 10 OGJiiauk and up-
pealed 20 Oyster Bay
Jones Assists Barnsdall.
Thither went James x. Jones. quon-
dam chairman Of the Democratic
national committee and trust buster ex-
traordluary, and Attorney BamsdaH. 10
lay their matters before the President
The decision OF the latter, if it has been
reached. has not yet been announced. It
IS supposed not 20 have been made up
as vet Legal questions that viii re-
ouire examination by the law officers Of
the Government are said 10 constitute
the basis of the cleims Of the Standard
OH people.
A wide sweep Of influence has been
brought TO bear by the Standard In its
fight for these lands Even Governor
Higgins, Of New York, Is said 20 have
been reached by BarnsdaH ana iudu-
enCed e. write "a letter in the interests Of
the latter. With all its ramifiCatons Of
financial and political power the
Standard has been working to organize
pressure and prepare "a case under which
the President would override his Socre-
tary Of the Interior.
Will Fight to the Last
Secretary Hitchcock has taken a firm
stand and the understanding is that he
would not consent without the most
earnest protest TO have any Of his adj
ministratiNe acts ia the premises over
turned on the Questions Of law he
would accept defeat If the courts finally
decTeed il. but He insists ON lighting 10
the last ditch ir protection of these
Il. 4 rs..a o..