Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-08-19
OIL MEN GET TOGETHER
ON POSTERITY PROBLEM
Conservation Receives Support of
Operators and Steps Are
Taken for Organization

the purpose of sounding those OF the
industry as to how they thought upon
the question of conservation, for the
purpose of perfecting an organization
of oil men and an oil affiliate of the
American Mining congress, which VIII
convene here the latter part of Sep
TENDER The meeting was only one
of temporary organization, but COM
nittees were appointed looking toward
a permanent organization of oil men of
the entire state. The chief sentiment
expressed at the meeting was in Ia
vor of conservation of government OIL
lands, and this sentiment was in strlk-
ing contrast to the anti-conserVation
sentiment expressed at a meeting at
Levy's cafe last spring, presided over
by representatives of the largest oil
interests of the state, aside from the
railroad and other trusts.
The meeting, however, was well rep
resented and the sense Of the meeting
would indicate that, after the trip 10
washington of the oil mems committee
last spring, it was seen that conserVa-
ton sentiment was too strong in favor
of the people as opposed to any one
industry and that something must be
done for the betterment of all con-
cerned, oil men and others alike. How
ever. at the meeting last night there
was not present such chiefs as Thomas
A. O'Donnell, Doheny's right-hand
man, who took the lead in the noted
oil discussion last spring, when con-
servation as applied to oil was torn
in a thousand pieces. But the oil men
as represented last night are working
for the best interests of the oil IN
dustry. it would appear and with the
co-operation of all the bunch some
thing in the way of legislation may
be suggested to the American Mining
congress when it convenes here in the
fall.
At the meeting last night s {.
Graham was appointed chairman. lie
said that oil men should be the same
as any other citizens of the United
States in working for the conservation
of oil on the government domain. "A
leasing system was suggested, WHEREBY
an oil prospector would pay the gov
eminent a small royalty to the barrel
if oil was discovered. Mr.. Graham at
one time said: ..,.s
"The motive of the men who initiated
This movement is. if possible, to secure
legislative action that would best con-
serve for the benefit of the whole peo-
ple. that part of the natural resources
represented by the public lands con-
tanning OIL In the discussion at tne
informal meeting, at which few OIL
us were present and at which 1t was
determined to call this meeting, 1t was
made apparent that there was no an
ference of opinion in regard to the
object to be obtained, though sus-
eestions of the means to secure the de-
sired result differed somewhat.
."The interest of the oil producer in
the disposition of government land
containing oil should be the same as
that of any other citizen of the United
States-no more and no less. Inc
reason the oil men should take the
initiative in an effort to obtain proper
legislation with reference to the oil
lands is not because their financial IN
terests may be affected-in fact we
have altogether too many laws now
that have for their purpose the serving
of special interests at the expense OF
the general public. The oil men, how
ever should be more famlhar IMAM
others with the defects in the present
law under which oil lands are secured
and operated by private interests, ana
they should also have a better idea OF
the legislation needd to correct existing
abuses. than men employing them
selves and their capital in other IN
dustries. All laws determining the ms
tribution or disposition of oil lands
should have for their primary object
the public welfare.
''To secure this object, these lands
that would produce the greatest rev.
enue consistent with the prevention of
mOnOpoly. In this connection | wish |
TO say. that there is apparently good
reasons for treating oil lands in a diff |
ferent manner than lands producing |
precious metals.
= "If those present here should see
fit to organize sSr the purpose of Sc |
curing or influencing legislation at
fecting oil lands, it can be determined |
afterwards whether the purpose can |
be best accomplished by seeking the |
cooperation of the American Mining |
If so, in what way ana TO |
what extent or whether the object can |
be better obtained through taking in
dependent action without the assls-
lance of any other organization. Leg |
islation dealing with public oil lands |
is badly needed. 1t is almost certain |
the next congress will take some ac- |
ton in regard to the matter, and as |
the oil men Of this state will, If or |
ganized, be in a position to assist IN |
securing the enactment of fair and |
equitable law, I believe we should get
together"
The ether speakers at the meeting, |
both in favor of conservation, were |
Lee c. Gates and Senator r. N. Bulla. |
But the keynote Of the whole meeting |
was "to ct together" so that when |
the American Mining congress con-
Vened the oil men of all ideas and sent |
iment could have an organization ana |
a set position TO maintain when the |
subject of conservation came up.
A committee on organization was ap-
pointed, comprising L. G. Gates, r. N.
Bulla, w. w. circuit, William LOTUS,
Julias Fried and F. G. Tyrrell.
1t was decided to hold another meet
ing next Tuesday night at which a
III r.fl