The San Francisco call., 1906-12-23

TITO the question, Is there oil in
Mexico? Consul S E. Magill writes
from Tampico that the answer
can now be in the Affirmative. As
to quality and quantity. the answer
must still be uncertain, authorities and
experts differing materially. Mr- Ma
gill continues:
In 1901 attention was called to the
explorations of California oil men in
this vicinity. and in 1902 the statement
was made that oil had been discovered
forty miles west of Tampico. Again
in 1904 the subject was treated in a
kdispatch from this consulate From
n ne history Of oil discoveries in the
United States it was reasonable to as
sumo that excitement would follow its
discovery here, with consequent rapid
development of oil-bearing territory
and a determination of its character
and extent. Such has not been the case
by any means.
The original discoveries sank num-
erous wells, but before making known
their discovery they secured for them
selves nearly all the salable land for
miles around, thus effectually prevent
ing others from exploring in the imme-
date vicinity. Leasing lands believed
TO be oil-bearing is q business new to
Mexico and is entered upon by local
land owners with reluctance Perhaps
other reasons, such as the length OF
tine usually required to make land
transfers in Mexico, operated to pre-
vent any such rapid development as
would have followed the discovery OF
oil in any part of the United States.
Chicago and Pittsburg capitalists Sc
cured several lots of possible oil land
north of Tampico, and leased large
tract near the American border in the
State OF Coahuila, which last was ex-
plored without satisfactory result.
other explorations have followed near
the border by other interests. but so
far as known without success
Pennsylvania capitalists secured bX
lease large tracts to the south of
Tarnpico along Laguna de Tamiahua
and, surmounting great difficulties In
getting drilling materials to their land,
they explored one section of their
property. to a depth of about 1900 feet
without finding oil. They have moved
70 another section in the same vicinity
and are now drilling there. That oil
y exists near the Laguna seems undoubt-
ID as il is often seen on the surface
thereof and the frequent asphalt de-
posits along its shores add further
proof
Explorations have been carried on
for some years by English capitalists
in the vicinity Of Tuxpan, Veracruz
but so far without other results than
10 induce continued explorations in
that section by Americans and another
ragiish company. and in two clashes
of interest between rival exploring
fof,7panies the law has been invoked TO
decide rights whose prospective value
is deemed great. Eastern American
capitalists are exploring near Papantla,
Veracruz There are unconfirmed re-
porfs Of their success. In the extreme
southern part of the State Of Veracruz
Pearson & Sons are said 10 have dis
covered a grade of oil superior to that
produced near Tampico, and have made
extensive preparations to store and re-
fine the same as well as to push fur
Their explorations, but no reliable re-
ports are at hand as to quantity of oil
obtained by them or promise thereof
The owners Of the original wells al
F,hano. near Tampico, went on develop
ing their property until they showed a
suficient production to justify the
Mexican Central Railway Company
making a contract for about 1900 bar
.areis per day and TO alter a large num-
Jer Of engines from coal to oil burners
- consume it. This oil is now being
delivered and the railway is erecting
large storage tanks to receive IT,
shallow wells. giving out q good
quality of oil, have been discovered
around Mexico City. but the flow has
been exceedingly limited and explora-
tfons are not now being made in that
vicinity. In the State of Oaxaca and at
points on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
oil has been discovered and Of high