Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-01-15
KANSAS
1AGITATORp~
Devoted to the interests of
rME MAsSES.
a Fearless, Aggressive, Progressive Advocate Of
All Reforms.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
" o. CnAHPR AND ANNA CHAMPE Editors
IN. ALEXANDER, Associate Editor.
SUBSCRIPTIONS S-PAcE EDITION, 81; 4-PAGE 3D., soc.
antsred postoce
May Is. 1897
OIL AND GAS
IN KANSAS!
WHAT THEY MEAN TO OUR PEOPLE.
Work Of Development Alone Brings Thousands
OF Dollars Into This Section
GARNETT SHOULD RECEIVE A SHARE,
As Well IS the Surrounding Country.
GARNETT SHOULD RECEIVE A SHARE,
As Well IS the Surrounding Country.

From the Kansns Derrick.
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself the
question what the development of the oil and
gas fields OF Kansas means to the people OF
the state? II not, it may be interesting to look
into it little and figure on its Importance.
In the oil fields at present will be found, ap-
parently, the greatest amount of hustle to be
seen, and of class that attracts the greatest
attention. At Humboldt, Chanute, Cherfyvale,
Neodesha, independence, Coffeyville, Sedan,
Peru, Caney, and, in fact, every town and vii
lage in the Kansas territory, there are scores of
men who are deriving great benefits from the
business, and the money which is paid them
for labor finds its way into the channels of
trade.
There are now at work in this field not less
than 200 drilling rigs. This means that 400
drillers are receiving IS day each for their
services. 1t also means that 400 tool-dressers
are receiving s.. so day each for their work
a sum total OF $Io4 900 month, or 81 ,25o,ooo
year. In addition to this must be considered
the army OF lease men, pumping.plant en-
ployes, tank builders, pipeline men, ETC.,
WuOSC wages wiz Auu w ASuiCo S1uui W suot Va
the drillers and tool-dressers. Then the hotel
man aud livery .stable-keeper come in for their
share, and as an example of what this amounts
to, we cite the case of one hotel under personal
knowledge, having forty sleeping-rooms, from
which the receipts are never under $I2S per
day, or $4s,ooo year. The receipts of the
hotels in this section of the state directly due
u - xLo :..J, -,
the hands of the owners not less half million
dollars each year-all new business. The liv-
eryman comes in for his share, every one in
this section having his teams engaged constant
", and If his receips are less than $50 to $50
day, he considers business bad The money
pAid into this channel will not iall short OF
$3.50, 900 year. There are hundred other
sources from which large amounts are tn. ned
directly into the hands of people who, in turn,
nut it into circulation, and the ben e6ts reach
all classes.
OF the money spent that goes away from the
state, the supply houses receive the greater
part, conservative estimate placing the
amount OF business done by them at $500, 900
month, or nearly $2, 500 900 annually. These
houses employ large forces of men, and the
machine shops which are being established
throughout the field are bringing large num-
her of skilled mechanics, all of whom receive
high wages, and many are building homes in
which to live. Thus, carpenters, painters ana
kindred classes Of labor are kept fully occupied.
Never iu the history of this country was
there time when so many new homes and
business houses were under construction. The
demand for residences is years ahead OF the
supply, and this demand is constantly increas-
ins. To meet it, new additions are being laid