The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-05-11
PROBLEMS IN
OIL FLIED FIGHT
PIPE LINE COMPANIES SUBMIT
COUNTER oSiTlON-THEY
WOULD GIVE 5 DAYS NOTICE.

Oklahoma City, Okla, May 10-For-
NAL PRONUNCIATION Of the order an
nounced by the corporation commits
sion that pipe lines must give ten
days notice before reducing price of
petroleum in Oklahoma fields may not
he made. The matter was held in
allegiance pending a decision of the
pipe line people as to their attitude
in the matter. Today notice was re-
ceived by the attorney general and the
corporation commission from the
Prairie Oil and Gas company, which
is conceded to be the price-making
factor in this state, that they would
give five days notice before changing
the price. This time is deemed suf-
iicient by the attorney general and
there may be no formal order pend
ing the hearing that has been set for
June 10 before the corporation COM
mission on this subject.
Meantime steps are being taken by
the attorney general and leading men,
Hncluding former Governor Haskell, to
initiate an amendment 10 The consti-
ltution that no pipe line company shall
Nbe permitted to own production of
petroleum. This petition will be filed
| in time for a vote in the proposed
amendment at the November election
Attorney General is Determined.
In the course of the recent hear
ings before the Oklahoma corporation
commission as TO the oil situation, At
torney General West on one or two
occasions said bluntly that he would
bring other methods into operation,
if necessary, to prevent discrimina-
tion or combinations as to the price of
oil. In the discussion of the propo-
sition for compromise that was
reached between the producers of the
Healdton field and the Magnolia Pipe
Line company the other day this at
titude OF the attorney general was
made very clear. The agreement con-
tanned clause providing that the
things therein stipulated as duties of
the pipe line company would not be
fsiid il the price of oil should -
changed during the period covered
by the stipulation without consent of
the pipe line company.
This eleGse is a pistol pointed at
the bead of the constituted authorities
og this state" shouted Mr.. West. The
state can not assent to its being re-
tanned. If it shall be insisted upon
and the pistol it represents still points
to the authorities OF the state shall
get out a Gatling gun"
The Calling gun figure OF speech is
assumed to mean that the attorney
general will, if he feels it necessary,
invoke the powers given him by the
statute against combinations and
bring forfeiture and escheat proceed
ings in the supreme court. 1t is point
ed out that under decision of the
supreme court the leases of oil com
panies that conspire with pipe lines
to control the price of oil may be
escheated to the state along with al
OF the other personal property of th'
companies. In addih, II to this, there
are severe penalties under the Dena
sections of the states antitrust law
that would be imposed if condition
should be had.
some Problems Adjusted.
Happy adjustment has been mad
through the offices of the state col
poration commission OF the problem
of over-production and irregular run
of oil in the flush fields of this state
It is expected that the difficulties c
| the producers, so far as the othe
questions, save the price of their pr'
duction. is concerned, will be muc
less for the coming year as the +,
suit OF the orders that have bee