The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-04-11
.WHYNOT TAKE ACHANCE.
ON OIL AND GAS
PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN
COMMENTS ON ATTITUDE
OF LESSONS IN THE
DISTRICT.


in the way Of developing oil and gas,
and Heaven knows what else in the
way 81 raw materials indigenous to
such soil as ours, !, for one, cannot
fathom the inertia Of the people or
Astoria and Ciatsop, in the matter Of
going 70 the very bottom Of all things
70 find these great essentials that are
lying ready at hand So spoke a
well known businessman 81 this city
yesterday morning, in the course Of
a conversation upon this live topic,
in which reporter for this paper
was taking part
Every sign that Is wanted to spur
such scrutiny 10 the utmost possibil.
ity Of genuine success is right here
and may be found in scores Of locali-
ties within easy range Of this city. to
the south, east and west; these signs
have been believed in for many year
and have been made the nucleus Of
many half-hcarted and abortive ef-
fort 10 get at the great commercial
commodities. Lately, or within the
past 20 months, a very genuine move
mcnt has been made toward such a
testing Of this rich promise as would
be final ard imperative ard some OF
the biggest Of our people have been
hopefully busy on the venture. The
quest has been carried to the point
Of securing frst-ciass drilling ma.
chine, Of 1000 feet OF casing for the
bore, and toward interesting some
practical and seryicable people; prop
critics covering the alleged oil loca-
tions have been carefully cpitomized
and mapped and leases sought in such
territories and upon such terms as
would justify the most expensive re-
search; all, apparently, to no purpose.
The matter lags, as | understand it,
because the lessons over the district
are unwilling TO lease their lands, in
many instances, and desire to see the
tests made on their neighbors' lands,
and so avoid contributing their own
to the experiment or involving them
in any OF the leases, so essential to
the Investigators real interest.
Those who once readily agreed to
enter their properties in the general
try.out are now hedging in every way,
including the advance on the leasing
values, from a mere bagatelle to $500, |
and more, per acre, to the people
who are to sink the wells; reaction
AIRY and unjust step to take at the
very crux of the experiment, and one
that leaves the people who are max
ing the initial tryout practically
without recourse for profit in the event
of genuine and paying discoveries.
This may be business, but it strikes
me, it savors more of hide-bouud
conservatism than Of rational and
ready public spirit; and indeed, it is
now made certain that the owners OF
the experimental machinery and pip
ing and all other necessary gear for
the work here, have resolved to waste
no more time in the venture, but to
remove their paraphernalia to fields
in which a broader and more com
policy and principle pre-
walls among those to be so distinctly
benefted."
This is, in substance, the straight
talk of a man whom we would be
glad to name because of his appre-
ciated standing in this community,
but who declines the use of his name
on account OF the fact. that unfor-
he owns not one acre Of
land amenable to the test, and does |
not care to be known as 'butting in" |
on proposition in which he may not |
figure, at any time, save as an inves-
tor at large, in such developments as
may reach the open market.
But he is quoted because of the rea-
sonableness Of his attitude and in the |
hope his conclusions may tend to |
the barriers now in the way
Of the big venture and cause a recess
sion that shall be manifest at the oil |
meeting at the Chamber of Com
merce rooms on Monday night (to-