The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-06

representative of the oil industry pres
ent from the Indian Territory He rep
resented the only refinery in that ter
ritory. He stated that under existing
conditions in his state there would be
no further development of the indie
pendent people, and strongly urged that
action be taken that would influence
the constitutional convention now in
session at Guthrie to recognize the con-
ditions and make it possible for indie
pendent people to live in competition
with the Standard Oil company.
The following committee was selected
to formulate the resolutions for adop-
ton by the conference:
Governor E. w. Hoch. of Kansas, who
issued the call for the convention, chair
man.
]. L. Russell. state oil inspector. who
BuchteI of Colorado.
Clifford Thorne. of Washington, Iowa,
representing Governor iCummins.
Senator J. L. Root of Portsmouth
Neo., who, with a member of the house
of representatives of the Nebraska leg
islature, attended the meeting for the
purpose Of gaining information for the
benefit of the Nebraska legislature.
F. A. Ashton, state oil inspector eff
Oklahoma.
Resolutions Adopted.
They presented the following set Of
resolutions which were adopted:
Whereas. The oil interests of this
country are of vast concern not only
to the oil producers but also to the oil
consumers and
Whereas. This great industry has
long been in the grip OF. the Standard
Oil company, which has practically
throttled competition, both in crude oil
and in the finishe ed products, and
Whereas. Heroic efforts were made
by the legislature of the state of Kan-
sas at it's session of 1905 looking to the
to the breaking up of this monopoly,
and II
Whereas, These efforts erystallized
into two specific laws. viz: what is
known as the antidiscrimination law
and the maximum freight rate law on
oils, and -i
Whereas. We have given careful
consideration to both these enactments
and have found that they have already
resulted in the establishment of six
teen Independent oil ref1neries where
only one existed before. and that one
almost in state of bankruptcy, and
that those laws have not only Stimu-
lated the investment of millions of dol
lars in these independent refineries,
with others in contemplation or under
construction, but have also resulted in
read1ustfng the prices OF coal OIL,
gasoline and other products of crude
oil to the consumer aggregating upon
a conservative estimate a saving of
half million dollars to the consumers
of these products in a single year in
the state of Kansas, and
Whereas. The extension of these
laws, or heir adoption by other states
will greatly assist in the common
struggle for the restoration of COM
petition and for the prevention of dis
elimination in prices and will result
everywhere. in our judgment. as 1t
has resulted here. in great reduction
of retail prices of these common COM
modities to the people of other states;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That, after a most care
full consideration of these enactments
and of the undoubted benefit they
have been to the people of Kansas, we
consideration of the executive and leg
islative branches of government in
other states. and be it further
Resolved, That in our judgment
such an extension of these laws as is
here contemplated and recommended
will be of incalculable benefit in the
final solution of this whole trust or
question:, as we'll as of per-
sonaI benefit to millions of people. Be
it futher
Resolved, That we would also
commend these laws, particularly the
characterization law, to the favor
able attention of the congress of the
United States and ask that a general
law similar to this be enacted for the
benefit of the whole country"
The following representatives par
ticipated in the conference: L. Root,
M. r. Hopewell and E. B. Quacken-
bush, Nebraska; +. A ASHTON, Okla-
homa; Clifford Thorne, Iowa; John L.
Russell, Colorado; Charles T. Madi- !
son, Indian Territory.
Representatives of the Midcontinent |
Refiners' associations who attended |
the meeting were; F. A. Parsons, rep |
the Kansas Cooperative Re |
lining company; L. L. MARCEL, man |
ager Chanute Refining company, Cha !
mute, Kan; ]. NJ. Cameron, manager |
Great Western Refining company |
ESriR+ Cochran 70 ,.-.l
Crude Oils company, Chanure; James |
representing the Paola Re- (;