The herald., 1898-10-08
judges nose and emphatically repeating
that 1T was an insult" he flipped out.
Contradictory Assertions


Contradictory Assertions
Quietude once more reigning, Mr.. Horton,
4 Westlake resident proceeded to give his
opinion In the matter. He fatty disputed
many of the assertions and statements
made by Judge Hubbel, and ventured to
asseverate that 'if oil had been discovered
velopment would never have been per-
mitted." Mr. Horton continued:
The property value which would be
destroyed by the proposed oil opera
tons Is vastly in excess of the profits
which would result from the develop
ment. Judge Hubbel has said that Oil
does not flow over the city from the oil
fields. l assert that it can be found
clear down at Washington street. What
city In the east would permit such en-
croachment as has been going on In Los
Angeles?
Just wait a moment; I'll answer
that question:" interposed the aggres-
sive De Groot, as me hauled out his note
book. Lima, o.; Findlay, o.; some of
the cities in the Pennsylvania oil
field. and North Baltimore, o."
Well said Horton, perhaps there
are some as big fools there as we
threaten to be. The claim of the Gil
men as to the immense revenues to be
derived from the business Is erroneous.
Wells pay well at first but they soon
drop to very little above actual cost of
production, and many men spend thou
sands Of dollars without getting any
return at ALL 1t is rumored that the oil
men have said they will drill even on
Westlake avenue, near Mr.. Holabirds,
eventually, and have already leased
certain property with that intention"
De Groot again interrupted with: "Whero
did you get that informatiQn?" Horton
replied: 1T was a mere rumor, admit. u
Another resident Of the Westlake district
was not satisfied with this result and
asked De Groot If he had not said, in front
OF the city hall recently, that If the limit
ordinance was knocked out. he Ode Groot)
would drill right down to the boundaries of
the park. De Groot acknowledged making
such statement, modified by the PROPOSE
tion that he would SO proceed In case he
was forced to fight and defeat the ordi-
nance in the courts.
Lamb Tries to Make Peace
Mr.. Lamb, one of the oil men, discussed
the situation on peace-making basis.
Il believe we can come to some har-
monious understanding If we try" he
said 1T does not pay 10 thus adver-
ttse what some call a stigma on their
property. This controversy should end
1t Is broader than is generally known.
The workmen employed In the oil in
dustry, the teamsters, the drillers, the
pipemen, the lumber men and the car
penters are all stirred up in the matter
In short, 1t extends into every line of
trade and avenue Of business. The resi-
dents are worked up on the other hand,
and bad spirit is engendered.
Now, II we could only sit down quiet
ly and consider this question fairly, 1t
would be SO much better. Some of the
features to the drilling are not SO bad
as they are made out. The drilling of
well only takes from Is to So days, and
then the smoke is all over, for gas is
used for fuel in pumping. Residents
roundabout that now use coal would also
have gas at their disposal for light heat
and cooking. Oil wells are, therefore,
annihilators of smoke, in one way.
This movement is not of oil men, let
me tell you. The company of which
am president Is one of property holders.
Now, as to Mr.. De Groot's we'll, the
one he is preparing to drill inside the
limit 1 believe he will only get a small
result, If any, because 1t Is at the very
edge of the oil basin, as the basin Is be-
ieved to be. Ocean View avenue
should be the line, and do not believe
the field extends that far"
Close Communionist
Cal Foy here arose to comment on Mr.
Lambs last statement. Il am glad t.
have learned just where the oil streak runs
don't know where Mr.. Lamb got his In
formation, but suppose he must have ha'
talk with God Almighty" 4
II am glad to say" interrupted Mr.
Lamb quickly. that l communicate will
him every night and morning"
This well-turned reply tended to discon
cert Mr.. Foy, and he turned his argumen
to the discussion Of insurance rates ant
the manner in which they were affected b,
the proximity of oil wells. Mr.. Lamb In
sisted, however, that an erroneous impres
sion prevails on this pont. "Why," sale
he, 1.-The very oil in my tanks is insured.
Other oil men substantiated his statements
while the other side contended that the!
had even been refused insurance on prop.
erty in the oil field. w. e. de Groot's safe
ty valve gave away entirely at this point
and the wrath that had been pent up foI
weeks burst forth in a torrent as he took
the floor.
De Groot's Side Of It
II have been maligned, abused
and misuuoted by people and the
public press from beginning to end"
he asserted, "to the effect that want
to injure Westlake park and do away
with the ordinance. 1 pronounce 1t
lie 1 do not want to injure the park
or anybody's property. All I want Is
an opportunity to use my own property
as I have a right to use 1t, and 1 will
give $50 to the Newsboys' home II
man will show me how any oil can get
into Westlake park from the district
we wish to drill in
"Will you make the same proposition
with reference to Sunset park?" asked
Mr.. Horton.
mo. sir, but 1t can be stopped from
entering or flowing into Sunset park
with a very few days Of labor in throw
ing up a protecting embankment.
Anyway, there is already oil in that
vicinity; 1t bubbles out of the ground
in the vicinity of the Wiltshire tract,
and nobody is kicking. In the district
where we want to drill. there are none
but few vacant houses, and let me tell
you, you don't find vacant houses in the
oil field already developed We have no
desire to go south of Ocean Grove