The New York herald., 1879-03-21
OIL PRODUCERS AND REFINERS
EFFORTS TO EFFECT Co-oPERATIoN-A SECRET
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOR THE PURPosa

OF RAISING PRICES AND LIMITING PRODUCE
TION rt
An important convention of the leading producers
of the Pennsylvania oil regions and the New York
reners has been in session for the past three days
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. discussing plans for the
formation Of acoalition of the refining and producing
interests. Eighteen of the most prominent oil pro-
ducers of Oil City, Cleveland and Petrolia arrived in
this city on Tuesday and preliminary conference
was held in the parlors of the Fifth Avenue Hotel
that evening. 1t was decided to have daily ses-
sions until all the plans that might be pre-
sented should be fully discussed and some united
scheme Of action decided upon. The first regular
session began. at ten o'clock A. NJ, Wednesday,
and continued for about two hours. adjourned
sitting being held late in the afternoon. Among
the producers present William Hasson. John
Fertg, +. w. Mitchell. George II. Van Week. John L.
Mckinney. L. III. Smith, J. L. Grandin j. o. jameson.
F. E. Boden. Wesley Chambers. James M. Gafy.
Marcus Drummer. w. j. Yang, L. Hademan, d. A.
Stewart. George H. Nesbitt William 8. MCMILLAN. J.
II. simmonds. Representatives from nearly all the
New York refners and several Western companies
were in attendance.
PROPOSED COMBINATION.
Yesterday the session occupied many hours. mum.
suggestions made and discussed at Length.
the debate throughout being animated and well sus-
tanned The proceedings were conducted all through
in the strictest privacy. no person being admitted
except those immediateiy interested and who
had received invitations to attend. It was
learned that the main object Of the conven-
he reness and an
the principal producers should join with all the
fners to advance the price of oil and to suppress
over production. The sentiment Of the New York
refincrs was that something ought to be done at
once. looking to advancing prices and retiring some
portion of the product, and it strongly urged
that measures oud be adopted to take OF the
surplus in order that it might not be thrown upon
the market. cit is shame" said one of the
speakers Ito have the wealth Of this country given
away without any effort to it, The majority
OF the producers present were in favor OF limiting
the production to certain extent, the amount to
depend partly on the rate to which the prices were
ndvanced but no united action determined upon
consisting John Fertig j. L. Grandin William S.
Mcmillan. L. H. Smith and three other gentlemen in
reference to working up the details OF arrange
ment between the retners and producers.
CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
The committee held consultation with the New
York refners late yesterday afternoon, when it
discovered that there conflicting interests
among the refiners. which would prevent any deci-
sion being arrived at then. and they determined to
return to the West to consult with the great body Of
producers ut Oil City and to wait for results after
the reiners should have combined. 1t to the in
terest all concerned that there should be perfect
unanilnity of action among each class before any
coalition is accomplished. The convention adj
TRANSPORTATION CHARGES
The Executive Committee of the United Pipe Lines
of Oil City have issued notice to the effect that
and after Thursday, May 1, 1870. transportation
charges will be collected in advance on all &C.
ceptances issued .freshened" by tho United Pipe
Lines. also upon all tranfer orders deposited for
credit, that the pipeage upon all oil leaving first
hands must be paid and after the above date in
stead of unpaid heretofore The committee add
that in order to accommodate the trade, exceptions
to this rule will be in casesof contracts for
future delivery Of oil with pipeage unpaid. provided
such contracts have been made prior date Of the
notice. The announcement Of this decision has
caused much exctepent in the oil regions 1t is
matter of the greatest Importance to every person
connected with the business 1t is said that the new
rule will make apparent difference. of twenty
cents per barrel in the value OF all oil now above