Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-17

George Otis Smith, director of the
United States geological survey. who
left Los Angeles last night for trip
through the oil fields Of the San Joa-
quin valley, will have for his chief OBJ
ject while there the inspection of work
accomplished by oil companies oper-
ating on government land, to ascer-
tain more fully the status Of the
Southern Pacific grants now under in
vestigation by the president and to
talk with oil men and thus become
better informed as to conditions in the
several fields.
AS head of the geological depart
ment of government, Mr.. Smith Will,
he said yesterday, devote much or
his time while in the valley to the
geological side of the much mooted
question of oil lands, but as the ques-
ton has become so complex 1t VIII De
necessary for him to branch out into
other departments and get whatever
facts and figures are available.
This trip grew out of, among other
things, the hearing given California
oil men last May, when carefully
= selected committee went to Washing
ton to plead the cause against the
Pickett bill, which provided for the
withdrawal of lands, without equitable
consideration, on which oil discoveries
had been made. The oil mems COM
mittee succeeded in effecttng COM
promise pending remedial legislation.
At that time Mr.. Smith was called
before a congressional committee haV-
ing the matter in charge and so close
ly questioned concerning every phase
of the question, phases reaching far
beyond the province of the geological
survey, that it was Impossible Tor
shim to give intelligent answers III
every particular.
= OFFICIALS ARE AT SEA
Therefore, as Mr.. Smith explained
man holding his position must be con-
yersant with the facts directly or in
directly bearing on his department
The oil problem has become even
more complicated the past several
months, the officials at washington
are as much at sea as to the remedy
as are the oil men themselves, and
for that reason Mr. Smith has come
for facts. He said that the next time
he is called before a congressional
committee he will be prepared to
answer questions touching upon all
sides of the problem.
"What the government Wishes" said
L.
in oil land matters. 1t wishes to treat
everybody acting in good faith with
the utmost consideration, and when
this complex problem is finally solved
it is hoped all will benefit thereby.
Like others in the government service
indorse the movement looking to
leasing system. In his speech at St
paul the president clearly outlined the
course in which he recommended the
leasing system. The message Mr.. Taft
is now preparing Will in all probability
dwell more fully upon the leasing sys-
tenn. Since his St Paul speech the
president has had presented to him
many sides of the situation and he
has had time to think the matter over
most carefully from every viewpoint"
SUGGESTED LEASING SYSTEM
It was in the geological survey, under
Mr.. Smith, that the Nelson bill, pro-
-viding for leasing system of lands
containing OIL coal, phosphates and
the like, was first thought of, and from
it the recommendation came. Facts
were at hand there, as Mr.. Smith ex-
planned showing where extravaganza
and FRI i'd were boldly practiced upon
the pl Jlic domain. The Nelson bill
soughs to prevent this and, looking
aroun for a remedy, the leasing sys-
tenn was deemed tho most economical.
The Pickett bill in time was written,
more TO sustain Lne president III MS
: Withdrawals than anything else, and Is
yet considered as the first step toward
the leasing system. But whether the
Nelson bill will finally decide the mat
ter or another bill be introduced In its
stead is not known to Mr.. Smith or
anybody else at present.
The oil men will soon send another
committee to Washington and it may
be that this committee will succeed
in getting another bill presented.
Asked If he thought congress would
consider the leasing system at the
next session, Mr.. Emith answered that
it was hard to tell, that If congress
moved as slowly with this bill as it
does with other bills introduced it is
likely to take several sessions before
it passes.
Three years ago Mr. Smith made
trip through the oil fields on a mission
much similar to the present one but,
as he admitted yesterday, the oil sit
uation then was far from being so
acute as 1t is at present. He will be
taken over the fields from Bakersfield,
including Sunset, Midway and McKit-
trick, and thence through DEVILS Den,
the Lost Hills to Coalinga. He will
remain in the San Joaquin valley untii
Monday and then return to Washing
ton.