Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-31
NEW OIL ASSOCIATION
Gets LARGE SUPPORT
About One Hundred Prominent
Ore Men Affix Signatures
to Roll of Membership

scribed to the bylaws of the Western
Oil Producers association and with a
likelihood of enough more added to
round out 100 before Thursday night,
when a meeting of the organization
occurs at the chamber of commerce as
sembly rooms, it is apparent that that
gathering will result in a large at
tendance and in still more members.
A number of oil operators from as
far north as San FRANCISCO and includ-
ing the Coalinga and Kern river fields
are expected to be in attendance, mas
much as permanent organization was
postponed at the meeting last Thurs
day night in order to allow these op-
orators to take a part in naming the
official heads of the organization. All
operators in attendance at tomorrow
nights meeting who desire to part1ci-
pate in the meeting will be invited to
do so, although they no doubt will be
asked to take the same preliminary
step as the signers to the bylaws
have taken, by subscribing to the by
laws and by paying the nominal in
itiation fee provided by that docu-
ment.
Those who have been most inter
ested in bringing about an organiza-
tion of the oil operators look for far
more interesting meeting than any yet
held because of the fact that there is
now something definite to be accom-
plished, whereas the preceding meet
jngs have been largely in the hands OF
a mass meeting where no one has
cared to take any initiative.
NOT CUT AND DRIED
The absence of anything like PRO
gram at these previous meetings Is
accounted for by those most active
in the organization plan as having been
a studied result for the very pur-
nose of making every one present feel
that there was nothing "cut and
dried" but that every one had an equal
voice in shaping the destinies of the
new organization.
This fact was not understood by
many who were present at the meet
ing last Thursday night and there was,
In fact, some criticism that something
more definite was not done. The pro-
moters Of the new organization, how
ever feel that they have relieved them
selves of any charge that might re-
motely suggest ''fiXed meeting" or
a "cut and dried program"
Now that so generous a number OF
signatures has been secured and COM
plete organization is promised with to-
morrow nights meeting, it is assumed
that all oil operators who are really
interested in an organization that will
work for the good of all legitimate en-
terprise in oil development and for the
framing of beneficial laws that will
meet the problems of all concerns and
corporations who are in sympathy with
the sane expansion of the industry in
such a manner as will still safeguard
the rights of the public will readily
identify themselves with the move
ment.
FULLY 200 OPERATORS
1t is pointed out that in the Los An
geles field alone there are fully 200
operators who should and doubtless
will Join the new association, to which
may ultimately be added the names OF
several hundred other operators In
other fields who are in general har-
mony with the purposes of the organ
ization. Whether the organization now
perfecting in Los Angeles will ult1-
mately acquire membership in all
fields. or will determine to organize
branches in the various fields, all
standing on one general platform, VIII
undoubtedly remain for future delib-
Grafton and decision. The idea ap-
parently is to go ahead, however, and
secure as many members as possible
ing the question of SUBDIVISION by
branches for the future.
1t is expected that there will be many
operators whose interests are widely at
variance with the announced purposes
of the present organization who Will
not become identified with the asso-
citation. This condition of affairs Is
explained by the promoters as entire
" due to the fact that larger cor
cial privileges, which the ordinary in
dividual operator or concern is not
seeking and could not secure, If he
were after them. This condition Is
considered an entirely healthy one,
therefore, by the average operator, in
that it allows the latter to think and
act more clearly and in harmony with
an organization of men who fall In his
same class.
ASSOCIATION Is ACTIVE
The fact that counter efforts are at
work to nullify the good already ac-
complished by partial organization does
not seem to deter the more active ones
in the Western Oil Producers asso-
citation, but is rather invited. These
counter efforts will, it is believed, have
the effect of lining UP different groups
within the oil industry who are work
ing for different ends and, 1t Is ar
gued, that the public will not have any
difficulty in determining who are really
acting in good faith when the waters
become clarified.
That these counter efforts cannot
force many local operators to desist in
organization is pointed out by what
the promoters of the association claim
to have been decided, though unsuc-
cessful, attempt at filibusterlng at last
Thursday evenings meeting, when re-
peated efforts were made to adjourn
the gathering without taking any ac-
ton looking toward organization at all.
While some difference Of opinion is
expected to result from a further dis
cussion of the principles and policies
of the new association, these differ
ences are minimized by the associa-
tion's workers and will be rapidly ad-
justed, they say, to harmonic with
the general opinions of all the mem
bers, once the members are given op-
portunity to talk these matters over.