Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-31
PETROLEUM. ITS FUTURE IN CALL
F0RNIA AND AS A FUEL.

FELTON,, the lately elected United States
senator from California, and by the
Messrs. Scofeld and Tevis.
Under the energetic initiative of these
gentlemen the future of the oil interests
of Southern California took definite
shape, and the effect of their example
was by no means confined to Los Angeles
county. 1t was soon seen that the oil
measures ramifed into Ventura county.
The fact is that, if there had been no
actual explorations in the interior, the
large quantities of petroleum found
floating on the surface OF the ocean from
Santa Barbara down to the neighborhood
of Wilmington would have suggested the
expediency of inland exploitation. Away
back in 1876 we'll known geologist, in
lectures given in what was then known
as Union hall, asserted that the oil
measures OF Southern California would
ultimately be found to exceed in extent,
durability and value, those of Pennsyl-
vania.
Not only were the oil measures, whose
development had given such gratifying
results, found to ramify into Ventura
and Santa Barbara counties, but they
were found cropping out in other por-
tions of Los Angeles county, notably on
and adjoining the Puente ranch, and to
the south and east of that ranch. The
Messrs. w. r. Rowland and William
Lacy have been specially fortunate in
developing oil. They have been richly
rewarded for their enterprise.
Oil discoveries in California have by
no means been restricted to Southern
California. Quite a number of "strikes"
have been reported from Santa Clara
county. Yesterday telegram reached
this city stating that splendid flow of
oil had been struck at Hanford, which
belongs to Judge Fitzgerald, Judge An
derson, and other gentlemen of Los An
geles county. Doubtless this is the
beginning OF successful exploitation
for oil in the great San Joaquin valley.
That it will be followed by results which
will insure magnitude for the interest
there we do not doubt.
The oil which is being produced from
the wells of the Messrs. Rowland and
Lacy is at present used for fuel. 1t has
been claimed that it is not adapted for
illuminating purposes. This, however,
we greatly doubt. These gentlemen
doubtless think it unwise to enter into
an active competition with the Standard
Oil company, who have lease or con
tract Of some kind with the FeltonSco-
feld-Tevis wells which, for the present
at least, gives them the monopoly of sup
plying Illuminating oils for California.
But, from the standpoint of fuel, there
is demand for all oils produced in
Southern California. Before this ar
rangement was made with the Standard
Oil company, the Messrs. Scofeld &
Tevis maintained an extensive oil refin-
cry across the bav in Oakland, and their
goods were of highly satisfactory illu-
minating quality.
AS we write, oil has been struck at
two places in the city of Los Angeles,
and the presumptions are that this city
lies directly over one of the richest de-
posits of petroleum on the Pacific coast,
and that natural gas will be struck here
in unlimited quantities when any capi-
talist, or association OF capitalists, big
or little, shall have the pluck to go down
deep enough to get it.
Even from the point Of view of fuel
the output of our petroleum deposits
would be invaluable. The proposition
OF solidified petroleum has been recently
discussed by the Financial Review and
Age OF Steel. Fluid petroleum has been
used for fuel very extensively, and par
ticularly for generating steam. In the
Atlantic states, where coal is compara-
lively very cheap, it has been preferred.
But in its solid state petroleum is a
most attractive and invaluable genera
tor of steam, and of every other form OF
power. A patent has been obtained for
this new invention, and the merits
claimed for it are comprised in the fol-
lowing specifications
the solidifcation Of all natural ana mineral
oils. and volatile liquids of every kind.
O. by tHls process petroleum anu Otner OILS,
etc., can be turned into solids at very slight
cost, and (as applied to petroleum, for instance)
is most valuable and surprising discovery
g. Petroleum can be solidifed as it comes
from the springs, made into bricks (as hard as
may be required), and shipped or exported like
coal. si
A. Petroleum, as a fuel, is of great burning
power, and there is less labor required in stok-
ing than in the use of coal.
5. For transport purposes it occupies about
one-fourth the space of coal. This is of vast i'm
portance as applied to steamships, where
bunker room is question for serious consider
alton.
g. Petroleum, after being solidifed, can be
reliquified by simple process. Thus 1t may
be solidified at the wells, transported in SOL
ids, and afterwards converted to its original
state.
Z. The cost of solidifying and reliquifying
is very small.
g.. All danger of explosion is hereby obvi-
ated; SO that petroleum and other dangerous
8. The petroleum solidified under this pro-
cess, when ignited, does not reliquify. but
burns to an ash, like a cigar
10 The residulm OF petroleum under this
patent can be converted into splendid lubri-
cant, and canbe sold at a very low price.
These are certainly solid claims made
for solidi6ed petroleum, and we have
no doubt that they are we'll authenti-
Gated. For years the HERALD engines
we're run on brea taken out of the hill
part Of the city of Los Angeles, with a
little mixture Of coal and wood. There
is an unlimited mine of the stuF out on
Temple street. but lust now il is over