Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-20
Independent Producers Bent on
Having Pipe Line and
Refinery.
THE AWAKENING is GENERAL
And the Prediction is Made That They
Will Not Permit Any Selling
Out This Time.
THE WORK UNDER WAY AT WILDWOOD.
Large Number Of New Derricks springng up Near the
Menke Well

and other points TO build an independen
pipe line and refinery. While The DIS
PATCH reporter has not been admitted to thu
inner circles of the association, or taken int
the confidence of the producers, enough in
formation has been CLEANED to draw the con
clusion that a scheme Of this kind is already
under way. The time certainly is ripe for the
consummation of the project which involve:
the interest of every INDEPENDENT producer
Not in the history of the great industry has
the spirit of ananimity among the pro-
ducers been so manifest as now. and the force
of circumstances has led them to a realiza-
tion of their critical position. A prominent
Butler producer said to-day: "We held an
informal meeting in Butler, at which the
situation was discussed, and all were en-
thusiastic In favor Of building pipe line
and refinery. Every producer who has been
approached on the subject has signiied his
williness to put every dollar he has into the
project"
REVIVAL OF THE P. P. A.
Mr.. 7. W. Phillips in talking over the
situation with an intimate friend, said he
thought the proper plan for the organiza-
tion of an independent movement was
through the P. P. A, which was still in
tact. A meeting of the old organization
can be called at any time. 1t was for the
very purpose OF protection against the
Standard that the P. P. A. was formed.
Mr.. Phillips further expressed himself as
willing TO join any movement that would
promote the interests of the industry and
especially the interests of the producers,
and said that while he had sold a
part OF his oil interests to the Forest Oil
Company he did not sell his liberty, indie
pendence or franchise, but still retained his
individuality.
A Pittsburg producer told The DIS
PATCH scout that be was solicited to take
stock in a new pipe line scheme but in
formed the solicitor be thought there was
Standard money IN it, and would have
nothing TO do with it. 'I tell you," he
said, I'VE intend to do something, and that,
too, before long, and when We move, you
may bet your last dollar, our enterprise will
be a 60. We will not be sold out, as we
have been in the past, and when we get our
line built and the independent reineries
with US, the world will learn that we have
come this time to stay"
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN,
The following telegram received from But.
Ter last evening more fully sets forth the
feeling among the producers there: Many of
the producers in the oil fields ofthis county
are in favor OF organizing producers stock
company to engage in the piping and refn-
ing OF petroleum. All is wanted is a COM
petent person to take the lead in organizing
the independent producers. There never
was time when they were so completely at
the mercy OF the Standard, and they were |
never more united on plan of relief than |
they are at the present time. The demand |
an 1fndn md aDr ,nTTA
universal.
Captain w. A. Clark, who, from long ex-
perience in various branches of the oil busi-
ness, is recognized as authority in such mat
ters in speaking of the Seep interview with |
regard to the present production and con-
sumption OF OIL says that either he, or the |
editor Of the Derrick, the standard organ,
made msstatement on this point. Mr.. |
Seep claims that the daily production at this |
time is $4,000 barrels, while the Derrick, in |
its issue OF the 18th, states
THE AVERAGE RUNS
of al the pipe lines for the month to be To-
900 barrels, difference of 1900 barrels, |
So far as the shipments are concerned. the |
Standard can manipulate them to suit their
own purposes, as the capacity of its lines is
many times greater than the trade required
of them. Mr.. Seen knows perfectly well |
that he injuries the producers when he gives
out figures which show an excess of produc-
ton which does not exist. 1t is the opiuiou
here that the only salvation for the pro-
ducers is to build, own and operate pipe
lines in every feld. By a small investment
producers can ascertain what profit there is
in the business.
The fact that the Standard has purchased
every line that has been built, and paid the
parties from whom thew bought exorbitant
,,rioac in naor1,- 1
the business of piping and refining oil Yields
large returns. Ii the producers stick to-
gether they can make even the Standard
recognize their rights, and give them fair
price for taking the risks incident to the
production of oil in its crude state.
SURVEY MADE LONG AGO.
Referring to the question of building an
independent pipe line, Mr.. Clark told of a
survey which he and others had made from
Millerstown to point on the Ohio River
near Rochester in 1877. At that time there
was great depression in the business oE-
ing mainly TO over-production, and pro-
ducers held meetings at a number OF points
in the oil regions to devise means of relief
Exclusive rights of way had been secured
for this proposed new line, which was to be
80 miles long, and was to have been
built in four months at a cost
|
posed to build a refinery at the terminus of
the line, with a daily capacity of !, 500 bar
rels, at cost of 5000, 900. In a pamphlet
written on the subject at the time, the FEAST
blllty Of the project is set forth yerv clearly.
1t was asserted that the OHIO river would
give an outlet for the Western and South
ern domestic trade at very low rates of
freight-25 cents per barrel being the car
TIying rate from the refinery to New Or
leans, an excellent export point for the
South American and West Indian markets.
Mr.. Clark said it was fact worthy OF
note that oil is being produced to-day in
large quantities in territories tributary to
this old line. Mlllerstown is still the center
OF large oil field, as it was IS years ago.
and besides there is the Hundred Foot field, |
with Its 8 600 barrels per day, and Thorn
Greek and Brush Creek, with their numer-
GUS small wells, and Wildwood, with a
daily production of 6,000 barrels. This
point would be easily accessible from the
W ashington county development, and NAV
yet be selected as the best terminus of an
independent pipe line.
The producers of Butler county will hold |
a meeting tomorrow evening in the Hotel
NOgely for the purpose of discussing ways
and means OF protecting their interests. An |
independent pipe line will probably be
formed as result of the movement. A
large number of operators are interested in |
the project, and they intend to contribute
both time and money to the cause.
Better Digging Found.
WLDwooD-There is no particular
change in the wells at Wildwood To-day ,