Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1905 — TO CURB ALLEGED TRUST. [ARTICLE]

TO CURB ALLEGED TRUST.

Roosevelt Seeks to Put Shackles on Standard Oil Combine. President Roosevelt has directed that the Department of Justice co-operate with the Department of Commerce and Labor in the investigation of the affairs of the Standard Oil Company. The President had a conference with Commissioner of Corporations Garfield and with Representative Campbell of Kansas. Mr. Campbell inaugurated the present investigation. The President’s idea in having the Department of Justice work with the Department of Commerce and Labor is that if information is received it will be turned over to the special attorneys of the Department of Justice, who will be able to pass on it from a legal point of view. In the event that these attorneys believe additional information is desired they can info-rm the commissioner of corporations, who w ;, l direct that the accessary evidence be secured. Commissioner Garfield and the President talked in detail over plans. The President has placed no limits on the scope of the in -y. Hg has told Mr. Garfield that he expects him to make the investigation thorough in every respect. Inquiry into the methods of the alleged trust is planned by Texas legislators. Wisconsin, Missouri and Oklahoma may begin independent investigations. The interstate commerce commission is ready to expose the alleged conspiracy in Kansas if proof of a rate plot is unearthed. The Illinois Legislature is also likely to investigate the Standard Oil Company's operations.