The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-07-23

ation. oklahoma is the only state
that know of that has attempted
matter of this magnitude, and
this is the first case that has been
filed before the commission The
IdaIbel case was filed at time when
we were considering the making OF
an investigation, and we thought II
it was heard Independent of the
general investigation, it might ASST
us in the course of which we will
ultimately pursue.
There has been much legislation
attempted to control prices which
were the outgrowth of combinations
or monopoles. In the oil business
the Standard and its subsidiaries
such as the Waters-Pierce, and, in
fact, all other companies operating
here, with the possible exception OF
one, control the Oklahoma market.
The Standard and its subsidiaries
have a virtual monopoly; that is,
such independent companies as
may exist could not supply one
fourth of the demand, hence, the
larger oil companies make the price.
The WaterslPierce Oil company was
put out of Texas; another company
of the same type was organized TO
take its place. and then the great
fuss and muss was settled in that
state. The reputation of some of
its great men had been impaired,
and the net result of the whole
transaction was citizens of Texas
were forced to buy oil at 25 to
40 per cent advance in price, the
oil companies making about $1O,-
100000 in the deal.
Trusts Here to Stay.
politicians claim they break the
trusts. President Taft claims he
has been busting them. Roosevelt
simply explodes them. Many dema-
gogues have ridden into office on
the back of the trusts, telling the
people they have been busting
them. Whatever they are, judging
from the lack of success the trust
buster and the courts have had in
the past, the trusts are here to
stay, and this Is doubly true unless
we get a different federal judiciary
than has been appointed by Presi-
dent Taft The only effect this
trustlbusting has had coulu be com
pared to tree frog, which changes
its color when it sits on different
objects--the same old frog is there,
but with a different outside appear
ance.
The commission will issue pro-
posed order to investigate why the
price of oil should be more, plus
the freight rate. in one locality than
in another The inquiry viii at
tempt to ascertain why crude oil
can be sent to Whiting, Ind. manu-
featured and the refined oil sold for
Sc less per gallon than it is sold
when manufactured in Oklahoma,
the point of production. The inves-
tigation will attempt to ascertain
why oil is advanced within a days
time without any reason therefor
and at the same time without ad
vancing the price of crude oil.
The Standard Oil company may
deserve more consideration than it
is usually given because of the ar
ticles manufactured out of the by
products of crude oil. 1t manufac-
lures and develops a market for
something over thirty-one commod-
tiles. 1t has built up market for
the commodities thereby and ien-
abling it to sell refined oil cheaper
and pay corresponding more for
crude oil. If it had those things
patented, the government would
have to allow remuneration under
the patent laws. However, the pub
lie has paid the Standard Oil COM
pany for the development of this in
dustrv more than billion of dol
lars. and we feel that it is now time
to ascertain what it costs to refine
barrel of crude oil and what it
sells for in different parts of the
country.
Commission is Agreed.
Il want TO say to the attorneys
representing the great oil compan-
les that | have the assurance of