Evening star., 1924-07-08

The filing by the government OF
the suit against fifty or more of the
leading companies engaged in the
manufacture and distribution Of gaso-
line and other products Of petroleum
has called forth a mixture of edi-
torial comment from Republican,
Democratic and independent news
papers The legal, economic and po-
litical aspects OF the subject are dis
cussed Many of the editors feel that
the charges of Attorney General
Stone makes these cases of equal II
not greater importance than any
filed against great corporations since
tho days of Roosevelt. There seems
to be some doubt as to the possibility
of prompt legal action, but q general
desire is expressed for an early judi
cial determination of the merits of
the case.
"It is significant of the new spirit
and temper in the department that
this oil suit was begun in spite of the
fact that among the defendant COM
panies Is the Pure Oil Company, of
which the president is B. G. Dawes,
Younger brother Of Gen. Charles q.
Dawes, the Republican candidate for
Vice President" points out the Spring
field Republican (independent. Mnitn en-
this oil suit Is that it may take some
Of the wind out of the sails OF Mr..
La Follette's monopoly issue IN the
presidential campaign" for by ming
antitrust suit in the past decade At
torney General Stone has scored
heat on La Toilette" While Attor-
ney General Stones action is osten ,
sibly designed to break up an allegeo
the Reading Tribune Gndependent)
claims sit was timed beautifully to
At in with political purposes.
The Dallas journal independently
agrees that cit was we'll calculated
to serve as an Offset to the broad
sides which the Democratic keynoters
are loosing at the Republican party :
however, there has been need, un-
doubtedly, for an investigation into
the ramifications Of this essential big
business. and it is q step whicn
should clear the air Of rumors and
suspicion" The suit may have TWO
results and Is certain to have one
according to the Roanoke Worlo
News (Democratic), which suggests
sit may result in q lowering OF the
price Of Easoline to the consumer ana
the prevention Of higher prices. or 1t
NAV not; but because 1t involves q
possible reduction in the price, OF
rasoline it is certain to create in
the hearts Of many Of tho 100000
automobile owners Of this country
something like a soft spot for the
present administration"
As the Sioux City Journal (Repub-
lican) sees it, "the gasoline consum-
ing public thus has presented 10 IL
the climax Of the gasoline wars that
have ragged in dozens OF states since
Master took the initiative in South
Dakota and began supplying gasoline
to the people At greatly reduced
prices from state supply depots, ana
ut is highly probable, In view OF. the
governments action, that high prices
some time" The Grand Rapids Press
independently 10 certain that the
gasoline industry has taken a per-
sistent and unfair advantage OF the
consumer for years in, its reduction
Of the quality OF the product; there
fore, "if court action breaks the ex-
listing situation. keens up competi-
tion and decreases the yield at re-
fineries to q better grade that much.
at least. will have been done for the
good of the automobile user" and
"the prosecution without fear or ia
vor at this time is an indication OF
the new administration spirit"
1.-The Republicans will hail Il az
m evidence of q new spirit in Wash
tnEton and the Democrats will vteW