Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-19
BALLINGER GETS
CHILLY BLANKET
LOCAL MEN PROTEST AGAINST
RECOMMENDATION
CHAMBER OF MINES ENDORSES
SMITH OIL BILL
Directors Meeting of Los Angeles Orr
ganization DiscIoses Its Attitude
Toward the Two Issues Now
Confronting Big Industry

The board of directors of the Los
Angeles chamber of mines at spe-
ctl meeting Friday passed a reso-
| luton protesting against the enact
ment of legislation along lines suggest
ed by Secretary Ballinger of the IN
terror department and indorsing Con-
| gresham Smiths bill providing for
| specific legislation for the location and
entry of oil lands.
Members of the board believe such
n law as provided for in the Smith bill
! is absolutely necessary to the best oil
| interests of the state and the public in
general
The objection raised to the Ballinger
recommendation, which favors leas-
ing system by the government is it
| would not be to the best interests of
the majority of the people and that it
would retard the development of addi-
tional territory valuable for oil deposit.
The resolution will be sent to sena-
| tors and congressman from California.
1t follows:
Whereas. the honorable the secre-
| tary of the interior in his annual re-
port to the president for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1909. has made Ger
tain recommendations in regard to the
disposal of the public lands valuable
for their coal deposits and has recon-
mended that, if lands are CLASSIFIED as
coal lands, they should be enterable
only as coal lands, unless it be shown
that they are improperly classified
under the legislative authority which
he recommends be given the depart
ment of the interior TO classify and
segregate all public lands; and
Whereas. The secretary of the inte-
rior has stated that his suggestions
with reference 70 the disposition of
coal deposits are equally applicable TO
the oil and gas fields in the public
domain. and has recommended similar
legislation as to the disposition of
such lands; and
Whereas. The secretary of the inte-
rior has stated in his report that the
most advantageous method for the dis
position Of such lands, in his opinion
would be legislation authorizing the
lease or sale of the coal deposits in
the lands, subject to certain restric-
! tions as to forfeiture OF rights grant
ed: and
Whereas. We have carefully consd-
cred the suggestions and recommended
tions made by the honorable the Sec
retary of the interior; and
Whereas, We are of the opinion that
| specific legislation for the location and
entry of oil lands is absolutely neces-
sary: and as such legislation already
| has been introduced i nthe senate and
| Sylvester c. Smith, representa-
tive, consisting of a proposed act
| entitled, An act to provide for the
DISPOSAL of lands chiefly valuable for
| oil and asphaltum;" known as ii. X.
| 1897, and as said bill prior to it's in
! PRODUCTION in congress had already
| been favorably endorsed by the major
| ity of the oilp roducers of California,
| we beliVe it will be the best interests
| Of this state and the oil producers of
| the United States, that congress should
| enact said proposed bill as early as
! practicable;
Therefore, On notion be II resolved,
| that, with all due respect to the opin-
| ion and suggestions of the honorable
| the secretary of the interior, we re-
! spectfully protest against the enact
ment OF legislation in accordance with
! the ideas suggested by him, for the
| reason that we do not believe il will
! be to the best interests of the majority
! of the people of the United States, and
| particularly of California; and fur
| ther, we are firmly convinced 1t
will retard the development of addi-
| tional territory which may prove val
liable for it's petroleum or asphaltum
contents; and further, that we do not
| believe it will be in accordance with
past policies Of the federal government,
which have proven so successful in the
! development of the various phases of
! the mineral industry of the United
| states; and further. that should such
| legislation be enacted, it would be
| equally just to lease al lands valuable
| for their mineral contents, whether
! same constist of the precious metals,
copper, zinc. lead, or the structural
and Industrial Materials
And be it further resolved, That we
| do hereby heartily endorse and ap-
prove the various and specific meth
! ods for the location, entry and final ac-
uuisition of oil lands in California, as
! provided by the terms of the proposed
| bill introduced by Congressman Smith
! and recommend that same be made
| applicable to the requirement of all
| lands in the southwest supposed to be
valuable for their petroleum or as
phaltum contents