Opposition to the Standard Oil Trust
In a number of the states legislation is being enacted or has been threatened, the purpose of which is to oppose the operations of the great Standard Oil trust. The independent oil companies have been importuning the Texas Legislature for anti-trust legislation, which will put an end to the extortions and business conspiracies of the trust. It is alleged that the trust now holds and controls the Texas pipe line. In case the pipe-line bill is not passed, the independent concerns will use their best efforts to establish a state refinery for oil. In Kansas it is proposed to establish a state refinery, and legislation to that end is now before the Legislature. The Legislature of Illinois has adopted two resolutions affecting the Standard Oil Company. One offers to loan to the state of Kansas $100,000 to assist in establishing a state refinery, and the other provides that the pipe line now being laid through that state shall be designated a common carrier, and thus be compelled to convey oil belonging to other parties, as well as to the Standard Company. The Kansas Legislature is also considering a measure for the investigating of all trusts in the state. District Attorney Jerome, of New York City, speaking before the People's Institute Club, on February 23, made the following declaration in regard to the condition of affairs in that city: "There are some honest men on the police force. But if the people knew the truth about the bulk of the higher police officials, they would take the law in their own hands, like the people of Montana and California, with their vigilance committees, and annihilate them. When you remember that the collection of $5 tribute for each saloon in a precinct would, in some of the larger precincts, amount to $12,000 a year, you will have some idea of the possibilities. More than this, even to-day there is not a street on which cars run that pickpockets are not operating under a distinct contract with central office detectives. There is now a man awaiting sentence in the Tombs—and even if he is a thief, I believe him, for I have corroborated much that he told me—who says that the police demanded fifty per cent. as their share of the proceeds." The restless chief of Somaliland, known as the Mad Mullah, is again on the warpath. He is instituting a war against the sultan of Obdia, on the east coast of Africa. The territory which he is now invading is under the protectorate of Italy. If his operations continue, Italy is certain to be involved in the trouble. A clash occurred between Bulgarians and Turks, near Strumitza, on February 16. Twenty of the Bulgarians were killed in the encounter. Subsequently the Turks burned the village, and searchers later discovered in the ruins the charred remains of fourteen women and several children. The bill which passed the House some time ago, authorizing the placing of the work of building the Panama Canal in the hands of the President, has now passed the Senate, and it goes without saying that it will be signed by the President. Bulgaria is said to be expecting trouble with Turkey. A recent despatch states that twenty freight cars loaded with shrapnel, and other ammunition, have passed the Servian frontier, bound for Sofia, Bulgaria. A terrible explosion occurred in what is called the Virginia coal mine, near Birmingham, Alabama, on February 20, as the result of which 110 men were buried in the mine. It is believed that all have perished. The four state senators of California who had been accused of accepting bribes, have been declared guilty by the committee chosen to investigate their course. The Senate has voted for their expulsion. President Roosevelt has issued a call for an extra session of the Senate, to convene on March 4. The reason for the calling of this extra session is not given. Milk consumers of Chicago are now confronted by a combination of all the large dairy firms in the city. This trust will control the entire milk supply of the city. The Senate has decided that it will enact no legislation at this session in the matter of railway rates. Another strong fight for home rule is being made by the Irish members of Parliament. The House has passed the pension bill, carrying this year $138,250,700.