The San Francisco call., 1901-12-01
CAR SHORTAGE
CAUSES TROUBLE
California Oil Men Find
More Barriers to
Progress.
Beaumont Gushers Begin to
Show Signs of Di-
minishing.

The shortage Of the tank cars In which
to market the output of California wells
continues, and there Is grumbling all
along the line. There are rumors that the
cars of the Union Tank Line will be
taken from the coast service and re-
turned to the East. The newspapers pub
lished near the oil fields say that there
is no indication of any relief in sight.
The situation in California is unique.
The general drift Of testimony is to the
effect that the flow of the Beaumont
gushers is diminishing. The prices for
Generalization of the Texas oil men is
worse than that of the producers of Cali
large quantities for 10 cents per barrel,
and lots have been sold as low as 2h
cents per barrel. A combination has been
formed. according to report. to acquire
ago II was impossible to get land upon
which to drill well for less than $40, 900.
Recently sale was made for $S000
The Bakersfield Californian says:
looking toward the Wyoming and other in
terror oil fields with longing eyes and many
new fields. a well-known man, who has re-
ceived letters direct from Fossil, stated to-day
that there is no possible chance for money to
be made in that field excepting through stocks,
and this isNvery uncertain. as the local con-
sumption ions cannot @ be BE- sufnS!ent to to- warrant any
been taken up for miles surrounding the strike
by corporations similar to the Clark syndicate.
and there is said to be absolutely no opportu-
nifty such is usually found in new min
eral strike
Much has been said of the fields in relation
to their future. II oil is struck in quantities.
how can it be handled consistently? It has no
the rates OF are said to be
orbitant and the extent OF the strikes have
not been determined. These Questions which
being freely discussed by oil men, are
causing them to think twice before leaving
their interests in the California fields for the
Ready to Operate.
The spur Of the Sunset T. RailrSad Raj pad, to 1.-The the
pleted and the people at that place are
looking for more lively times.
Colusa County oil Company, which re-
ports its find to the Arbuckle Indepen-
dent, and the Orr & Mercale and Corning
oil is still Indefinite. The Corning Com
pany's we'll is reported down 1000 feet.
A picture OF the conditions under which
marketing of oil In the Kern River dis
trict is proceeding. in the absence of any
working combination, Is derived from the
following, which appears in the Bakers
field Californian:
All development work on the holdings OF the
Minnehaha OH Company Will be stopped until
the oil marketing problem is settled and the
car shortage IS adjusted. Mr.. Durkee is one OF
the operators who Is not willing TO produce oil
and sell Il 10 the Standard at fifteen cents.
with reduction OF two and half cents per
barrel for water and sand.
Work at Tejunga.
The Los Angeles Herald reports that
there are now three companies operating
in the Tejunga country, It says:
The Tejunga OIL Company has a we'll down
$50 feet. the Denver OIL Company has drilled to
g depth Of 800 feet and the Russian OIL Com
pany operating -, 3-l4, has attained a
depth OF 1000 feet with the well Il has been
drilling
quantities is a rich. light green oil. similar
IN character 10 that being produced In Pico
Canyon. Il IS contended that these three COM
panies operating on the main lode. which
runs from Newhall up into the mountains. and
as the expert who located the wells being
drilled the who faid those at
Pico Canyon Il may be that this will prove
correct. Tho Bard OIL Company with which
Senator Bard is identified, holds 1900 acres and
the Pacific Coast OIL Company also has a large
holding. and in addition 10 these are num-
Der OF other companies Of lesser Importance.