Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-26
OIL MEN JOIN FOR
COMMON INTEREST
Organization Is Perfected to Pro-
tect Industry Against Un-
just Legislation
SAN FRANCISCO 0BDURATE
Northern City, Jealous Of Los An
geIeS' Energy, Opposes En-
deayor to Get Together
SAN FRANCISCO 0BDURATE

At a somewhat stormy meeting of oil
men at the chamber of commerce last
night an organization was perfected to
be known as the Western Oil Pro-
ducers association, the chief object be-
ing, as outlined, to portect the oil in
terests of California against unjust
legislation and to advance the market
and general condition of the Industry.
The meeting was made up generally
of local oil men, or lat least those haV-
ing their headquarters and homes in
Los Angeles, and received opposition
from San Francisco, which through
several operators sent kilograms urg-
ing that such an organization would be
a local affair and not representative Of
the entire state. But these arguments
We're offset by local oil men, who said
that everybody interested in the oil in
dustry would be invited to join the as
ISOLATION, and that it's sole object would
be to promote the oil interests of the
entire state.
AS conservation is a subject upon
which the oil men cannot agree it was
side tracked for the time being. At
former meeting this subject came up
and almost caused a split in the body
assembled, as those operating upon pat
ented lands were for conservation and
those upon government land (and many
of the big gushers of the state are on
government land) were against the is
sue.
OPPOSITION FROM NORTH
S. c. Graham was chairman of the
meeting and read kilograms from j. NJ.
Danziger, NJ. H. Whittier. John Barne-
son, John Baker jr and w. w. Or
cutt, all dated at San Francisco, al
though several of the men are residents
of Los Angeles. All these kilograms
were in opposition to the meeting as
outlined. Orcutt said he was opposed
to paying a royalty to the government
which is the keynote OF conservation
as advanced by Pinchot. But Orcutt
did say that he was in favor Of or
ganization which would offer relief TO
oil men in legislation and the extension
of the oil market.
Barneson protested flat-footed against
the Pinchot policy, and Danziger OPP
posed taking any action at this time.
Whittier wished to postpone the meet
ing for a week until the oil men at the
north could he here. Other kilograms
from the north were along similar lines.
There was probably a selfish spirit
displayed by the oil men of the north,
as it was obvious that they did not
wish any such organization to be per-
fected here, preferring that anything OF
interest to the oil men of California
should he handled from san Francisco.
Sidney Norman explained that fully 10
per cent of the oil men operating in
California lived and had headquarters
in Los Angeles, and inasmuch as this
city was more vigorous IN getting 10
eether the first two meetings for the
purpose of organizing the oil men, 1t
should in consequence take the Ieau
over the northern city.
STATE WIDE ORGANIZATION
Both Norman and L. P. st. Clair,
president of the Producers TTansporta-
ton company, stuck for state Wlde
organization, st. Clair, however, urging
that the northern operators be given
an opportunity TO come mere anu CA
press their views
There were several factions at the
meeting, but it is believed that after
the next meeting, to be held Thursday
of the coming week, the oil men Will
arrive at some definite conclusion.
However, as the thing stands now the
Western Oil Producers association is
factor in the oil producing world ana
viii probably remain, bringing in from
time 70 time new members from among
+he operators in the San Joaquin valley
and san francisco. The roll OF organ
ization indorsing the bylaws, was
signed nv fifty-four oil operators pres
ent at the meeting. The second article
Of the bylaws, designated as Purpose"
ITS purpose shall be to unite the oil
onerat6rs Of California and the west III
an association for the protection ana
advancement of the industry; to Sc
cure legislation which shall govern the
of public lands containing
oil in a manner just and equltan PIE aIihe
10 the operator and to the government
end devise ways and means for effect
,IaIiv advancing the common interests
Of oil men by all legitimate methods