Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-31
Representative DoWell of Iowa
Proposes an Inquiry by
Congress.
WOULD LEARN IF THERE
is PRODUCERS COMBINE
Resolution Aims Specific Inquiry at
Former Standard Oil Sub
sidiaries.

Sweeping investigation of the IN
creasing cost of gasoline by con-
eressional committee is proposed in
resolution introduced in the House to-
day by Representative Dowell of Iowa.
The resolution is carefully worded to
cover every possible feature of the sit
uation against which there has been
such loud public outcry and to locate
the responsibility for the added cost of
what has come to be a commodity of
public necessity.
MY resolution speaks for itself" said
REPRESENTATIVE Dowell today. Il hope
il will be adopted and the committee
get to work at an early day to look
into this question"
Provisions of Resolution.
The resolution provides:
That the Speaker appoint a select
committee of nine members of the
House. and that such committee be en-
powered and instructed to inquire into
and, fully investigate the following
subject and matters:
First The cause or causes of the
presenthigh price of gasoline and other
petroleum products. and as to whether
or not the same is caused by the ma
nipulation. combination and under
standings of the several companies
which formerly composed or were
OIL Company heretofore dissolved by
the Supreme Court of the United
States; and to consider and investigate
the methods employed by such COM
panies, their officers or agents in fixing
and controlling said prices: to consider
and investigate the profits derived and
dividends paid by such companies Pc
fore and since the dissolution of the
Standard Oil Company by the Supreme
Court of the United States, and to con-
slider and investigate any and all facts
troll Of such companies and the rela-
tions which they bear to each other,
and any other facts or conditions which
tion or liking or controlling the prices
of gasoline or other petroleum prod
ucts.
Extended to Other Companies.
second. To investigate the relations
existing between said companies and
any and all other companies, corpora
tions, partnerships or individuals en-
gagged in the production. srsnning.
transportation and sale Of gasoline or
other petroleum products, SO far as
same relate to the cost of production.
refining. transportation, handling and
sale Of gasoline and other. petroleum
thsrefor.
Third. To consider and investigate
the methods employed by any or all
companies. corporations. partnerships
or individuals. their officers and agents,
engaged in the production, refining.
transportation or sale of gasoline or
other petroleum products. and the re-
lations existing between them or any
of them in so far as the same relate
10 the cost of production. refining.
transportation. handling or sale of
such products. or the hx1ng OF
prices therefor And to fully investi-
TO the capital stock and ownership
thereof. the dividends. profits. manage
ment and control Of said companies, or
any Of them. and each and every fact
and condition bearing upon or relating
to the fixing of the price of gasoline
and other petroleum products.
Fourth. Said committee shall con-
sider Investigate and report as to
whether or not the said producers, re-
nners or dealers in gasoline and other
petroleum products are violating or fix
existing laws by manipulating or fix
ing the price of such products, and to
report what. il any. additional legisla-
tion is necessary or advisable to pre-
vent the manipulation and control of
the price of such products"
Hearings Open to Public.
1t is proposed that the committee as
q whole. or by subcommittee. can sit
during the sessions of the House and
during the recess of Congress, and that
its hearings shall be open to the public.
II is to be given the usual powers to
summon witnesses, administer oaths,
etc.
II also provides: NO person shall be
excused from giving testimony or from
answering any question or from other
wise disclosing any facts within his
knowledge as individual or as an
officer or director of a corporation. or
otherwise. or from producing any book.
paper or document on the ground that
the giving of such testimony or the
production of such book, paper or
document would tend to incriminate
him, or for any other reason. but every
person SO testifying shall be granted
immunity from prosecution with re-
spect to any matter or thing concerning
which he may be interrogated. and as to
which he shall truthfully make full
answer under oath upon such investi-