West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-09-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Interstate Commerce Commission to
Make an Investigation OF tho Alleged
Monopoly OF the OwnershIp OF Pipe
Lines for Transporting Om-The
Democratic Congregational Com
mittee for the Second West Virginia
District Organized
FROM GEORGE w. SUMMERS.

mittee to which il had been referred on
Senator Chilton's resolution for an in
vestlgation OF the alleged monopoly OF
the ownership of pipe lines for transport
ing OIL. The resolution was amended 80
as TO have the investigation made by the
Interstate Commerce Commission instead
OF by special committee of the Senate.
Ii requires investigation as TO whether
the charge is true that substantially the
same interests have operated the pipe
lines, made the market, bought the crude
oil, refined it, and fixed the price of the
refined products and whether the laws of
the United States have been violated.
Investigation is also required concerning
the effect on the oil industry of the
purchasing agenies refusing to buy all
the oil offered or part of it, While the
adoption OF this resolution would have
no immediate effect upon the situation
in West Virginia ii probably would pre-
vent any future disaster TO the oil bust
ness oil the State such as has been caused
by the failure of the purchasing agents
to buy oil at the present time.
What promises 10 be novel feature
OF the campaign is being arranged in the
first West Virginia district, where three
cornered joint debate is about to be
held in each county IN the district.
Chairman Ira l.. Smith, of the Progressive
committee, in behalf of Harvey w.
Harmer, the Progressive candidate for
Congressman, issued challenge for this
series of joint debates TO be participated
in at every important city in the district
by Nj. M. Nicely, Democratic candidate;
George f. White, Republican candidate;
and Harvey w. Harmer, Progressive
candidate. Through the chairman OF
the First district committee, Henry M.
Lively, Congressman Nicely has accepted
the challenge. He provides only that the
challenge shall also be accepted by Mr..
White and that dates may be arranged
which will not interfere with his public
duties at Washington. Mr.. White Is ex-
pected to accept, insuring the series of
debates on the issues OF the campaign.
The sub. committee of the House com
mittee on the judiciary, appointed to
review and summarize the evidence heard
10y the full committee in support OF the
resolution for an investigation of the
judicial conduct of Judge A. q. Dayton,
may make its report at almost any time.
No intimation has been given as TO when
it may be expected, but it is known that
the work has been progressing and that
the committee is almost ready to make
| the report. There is no assurance as to
what the nature of the report may be, or
whether investigation by the House will
be recommended or not.
Few at time, the results of the civil
service examinations for fourth class
postmasters are being announced. The
| examinations were held on different dates
in different parts of the State, most OF
them being in July. AS rapidly as the
| civil service commission can complete
the grading the results are being announc-
ed and the appointment of postmasters
follows. In every case the person stand
| ing highest of all the applicants is ap-
| pointed unless some good reason is shown
why that person should not be named
and why the one second on the list should
be named. So far there have been no
| appointments made as the result OF the
| examination.
BY the amendments to the river and
| harbor bill, as agreed TO by the Senate
| committee on Commerce, three million
dollars will be cut from the appropria-
tons for the Ohio river, as passed by the
House. No work that is now under way
will be affected, but authority Will not
be given to enter into any new contract
| for locks and dams.
Col. j. William DeGrange, of Martins
burg, a clerk in the War Department,
was selected as temporary chairman 10
assist in bringing about the organization
OF West Virginia Society IN Washing
ton, composed of persons whose legal
residence is in West Virginia, but whose
business compells them to reside here
ID. w. Gall, formerly of Philipp, was
chairman of the committee on bylaws.
1t IS expected that permanent organiza-
ton will be made within few weeks.
Exalter Ruler Darnall, Of the Hunting
ton lodge Of Elks, has called on Senator
Chiffon for help in having returned to
Huntington the body of II. w. Culbert-
son, Huntington Elk, who was drowned
near Kasu Flu, China, about ten days ago.
The regulations require the cremation Of
the body, but the State Department has
cabled for full information, at Senator
Chilton's request, and IL is believed as
Culbertson was drowned, that this re-
quiremcnt may be set aside,
John w. Davis, Of Carksburg, now
Solicitor General OF the United states.
has returned after spending few DAYS
campaigninain Maine. Re made several
speeches in various parts Of the State.
supporting the administration policies
and advocating the election OF officers
who can be- depended upon to assist the
administration in carrying them out.
Senator Chiffon vas compelled TO
break several speaking engagements i'm
West Virginia because he was unable 30
get away from the Senate. lie was ap-
pointed one Of the conierees on the Clay
ton antitrust bill and has been busy
with the other conferecs Of the Senate
and House trying 10 get the measure in
such shape that both houses will agree 10
u and pass IL. lie was 20 have attended
the postmasters' convention at Hunting
ton, the Blue and the Gray celebration
at Rayenwood and the dedication Of a
church at S. Adams, but had 10 cancel