Gin House Scandal: Oklahoma’s Cotton Oil Millers Face State Scrutiny

The Oklahoma state government is cracking down on the cotton oil milling industry, accusing operators of price fixing and exploitation. In the first hearing of a highly anticipated lawsuit, the state attorney general’s office demanded that cotton oil millers submit detailed reports on their business practices. Oklahoma City’s cottonseed men were required to reveal the amount of cottonseed they purchased last year, the price they paid each day at each gin, and the number of gins they owned or controlled through mortgages. Assistant Attorney General J.M. Crook made the motion, citing evidence of suspicious activity in the industry. But cotton oil millers pushed back, objecting to the new requirements. The case is ongoing, with hearings continuing for over a month at the Chickasha courthouse. The state’s suit is seen as a major test of its authority to regulate the lucrative cotton industry. As the investigation unfolds, Oklahoma City’s citizens are left wondering if their government will finally bring justice to the city’s beleaguered farmers.