Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-16
MINING AND OIL
UNION FAVORED
IF. Lucey, Head of Supply Firm,
Gives Interview on Join
ing Congress
BE WING OF NATIONAL BODY
Representatives in Washington to
Look After Interests of
Both Operators
BE WING OF NATIONAL BODY

J. F. Lucey. head of the oil supply
house of this city of the same name,
has among others been interviewed
on the part of the American Mining
congress representatives with a view
to securing opinions of ell men con-
cerning the proposed organization of
the oil men as a wing of the mining
and coal operators national body. So
far all interviews secured are entire
ly in favor of the proposed union.
Mr.. Luceys interview as given out
by the American Mining congress Of
ffcers is as follows:
WHAT LUCEY SAYS
'I notice that many papers have
printed considerable matter on the
proposed merging of the oil men of
California with the American Mining
congress by the creation of an oil
branch or wing Of that congress and
I want to say that I approve it fully.
To my mind this is the only logical
thing the oil men of California can
do, if they really want a militant or
ganization to represent them in Wash
ington during the sessions of congress.
LAS q separate organization they
would not be strong numerically and
the burden of keeping lobbying COM
mittee in Washington to watch their
interests would be too heavy burden
on the oil men Of the state. By coming
into the American Mining congress in
their full numbers, all they would
have to do thereafter would be to pay
their annual dues in that organization
and through that body initiate and
work for the protective legislation that
the oil interests require and must
have.
THE PICKETT BILL
"The Pickett bill was almost
through congress before the oil men
became sufficiently aroused to hurry a
delegation to Washington to gain a
hearing. This is the very best proof,
in my opinion, why they should be
constantly represented in Washington
by a lobby that is regularly maintained
there to watch legislation.
"The American Mining congress has
proven that it can secure beneficial
legislation by securing the passage of
a bureau of mines bill at the current
session and the law creating this bu
reau would only have to be amended
slightly at the next session of con-
gress to be made to extend to and In
cude the oil industries thus giving
them actual federal representation
through United States official.
II understand that the effort will be
made to make the head of this bureau
a cabinet officer, in which case the oil
men would benefit just that much
more.
Il believe, therefore, it is better to
ask for this help and cooperation
through the same organization, of
which both the mining and oil men
are members, and do it at the same
sitting of the American Mining con-
gress. when oil men can be present
and take a part in the debates and
discussions, than to attempt to do it
by a detached organization, trying to
work through a small and far less in
f1uential committee.
"It is my understanding that a Sc
ries of meetings will be held at differ
ent points in the San Joaquin valley
during next month, which will be at
tended by the oil men of these dis
tricts, and If I can POSSIBLY be a mem
Der of the party that goes from Los
Angeles to attend these meetings I
shall certainly be there to speak in fa-
vor of the idea, as I think this is really
more of an opportunity for the oil men
than for the mining men. They have
their organizations; we have none, and
if we can go in with them and share
in their destinies and benefits, then
we should be eager to do so.'