The History of the Standard Oil CompanyTarbell, Ida M. (Ida Minerva)
History
The History of the Standard Oil Company
Tarbell, Ida M. (Ida Minerva)
Petroleum industry and trade -- United States -- History; Standard Oil Company -- History
Petroleum is a product of this state, and transportation companies
in taking it away must respect the fundamental law of the state.
And, while we ask for no favours, always supporting free trade from
principle, speaking in behalf of the refining interests of the Oil
Region, we do not propose quietly to submit to any discrimination by
transportation companies, doing business in the state, against our
interests. If by reason of our position we possess advantages for
refining oil here, over refiners outside, we have strong objections
against the action of the railway companies in taking from us such
advantages, by requiring us to pay for hauling a given quantity of
oil as much as they require of Cleveland refiners for hauling the
same amount of oil 300 miles greater distance; or for requiring us
to pay as much for hauling 715 barrels of refined oil as they
require for hauling 1,000 barrels of crude oil the same distance. If
the railroad companies will make all expenses of refining oil equal
to all points, we shall be satisfied. If they will make the price of
sulphuric acid 1½ cents a pound, the same as it is in New York,
instead of 2½ cents; if they will deliver caustic soda here free of
freight from New York; if they will put paints and glues here at the
same prices as those articles sell for in New York; if they will put
staves and heading and hoops for barrels here at the same figures
those articles cost in Cleveland, whether they do all these by
giving us rebates sufficient to cover all differences now against
us, or in any other way that will bring the same results, we will
accept the new arrangement without complaint. Until this shall be
done we shall ask the railway companies in hauling oil to confine
themselves to legitimate business, and to obey the new constitution,
in letter and spirit. It will behoove our citizens to see that their
new constitution is carefully respected.
We are opposed to the new arrangement for the large advance in the
price of freight upon oil. If the railroad companies have lost money
in carrying oil for the Cleveland refineries during several years
past, let not the whole petroleum interest, in its depressed
condition, be required to sustain the penalty. We submit to the
railway managers whether it is not right to charge for hauling goods
in proportion to the distance hauled, allowing a small discount,
perhaps, upon the rate per mile for the greater distance.
Our remarks upon this subject may have the colour of assurance, but,
from the large majority given last winter in favour of the new
constitution of this state, we have great confidence that the people
will not part with their sovereign rights, nor allow themselves to
be ruled by King Pool.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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