Graham guardian., 1906-02-16
STANDARD OIL VS. THE GOVERN
MENT

IlHeS. .1USfter; lIast suh0'
government instituted an investl-
CATION into the methods OF the
Standard Oil in Kansas.
The Wichita Daily Eagle, republi-
can, is authority for the statement
that Standard Oil member made
the following threat to a member
of the investigation force;
1--WE are bigger than the govern
ment. Standard Oil is stronger
than the United States, We own
the senate and the house. If you
pursue your Investigations beyond
the point necessary to fool the
public, we will have you removed
We can secure the instant de-
position of the secretary of com
merce and labor, Mr.. Metcalf, and
the commissioners of corporations,
Mr.. Garfield. IfyOu prosecute us
in the slightest degree, you will be
out of your job, and if you keep al
the business you will find what we
say is absolutely true. Rookie
feller is bigger man than Roose-
velt."
We have just witnessed the sneer
ing answers that IL. H. Rogers has
given Attorney General Hadley of
Missouri. during the recent in
vestIgation in New York, We are
still Whiting to see whether the
supreme court will order Rogers
TO answer the questions which
were put by Hadley and which
Rogers refused to answer. In view
of the actions and answers Of
Rogers, the vice president and
general manager of Standard Oil,
the above from the Eagle has all
the appearance of truth 1t 1t is
true, it is time tho American peo-
pie were grasping the real situa'
tion.
If a body of foreigners, no mat
ter how large, how strong or how
we'll armed, should enter our land
and bid defiance to our courts and
civil authorities, within twenty
four hours ninety per cent OF our
citizens would be so aroused that
they would offer their services,
even at the risk of life and limb,
to put down such insolence and in
suit.
But here Is the Standard Oil
crowd, insignificant in numbers,
great only in the crimes they have
committed, and strong only in the
power of money to corrupt, who
bid defiance to our laws, and sneer
at our courts.
Will the American people per-
nit this to continue? We do not
believe il. We believe the time
has come when Standard Oil will
be brought to a reckoning The
attitude of Rogers has set the peo
pie to thinking, and there is more
in the power of thought than you
may at first realize. Every man
you have met, who has spoken of
the Rogers case, we venture to say
has condemned his actions. Can
you comprehend what tremen-
dous force 4O,O0O,OO0 of people
thinking the same thing at the
same time, earnestly and with
deep feeling, can generateH 1t may
be you do not, but the force will
be there just the same, and sooner
or later its effects will be re
allied by all men. AS sure as
there is a potential power that
makes for the betterment of the
race, that sure will Standard Oil
be curbed and its corrupting pow
er destroyed. And now that it is
up against Missouri, it is altogether
likely that it will have to "show"
some Of its secret workings, a
thing that means its ultimate over
throw.
RAILROADS AND TAXATION
The board of equalization has
Just completed the work of assess
ing the railroads, and what that
work is, should be of interest to
other taxpayers, While a small
increase has been made in some
quarters, yet as whole, itamounts
10 about one-tenth of the real val
nation as shown by the stocks and
bonds. 1t is also less than one
fifth of the actual cash value. The