The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-26
ASKS $4,000 FOR
BUREAU OF MINES
Greatest Recognition of Min.
ing Industry Ever Made by
Government Department

The estimates OF appropriations for
the United States bureau OF mines, for
the fiscal year ending June 50. 1915. as
approved by Secretary Lane of the in
terror department and forwarded TO con-
sress recently, are as follows:
For general expenses OF the
bureau .-.....,-....s.....,. y iV,OVU
For investigating mine acci-
denlS .sa-.s.~ "t's"'V
cue cars ard sta ations -. 80. 900
Pittsburg 10. 900
For testing fuels .............. $4,000
For mineral mining investigu- -, ooo
IlOnS l-V,uup
OF petroleum and natural gas 90. 900
Alaska ~ 1000
For books and publica tions . 1000
rescue cars - 1000
The total for the bureau of mines is
s1b2 900. an increase over the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1913. Of 100000
The Item of $50, 900 for the equipment
OF the rescue cars and stations is for the
first time placed separately in the esti~
mates and represents an Increase.
The $4,000 asked for the equipment OF
the testing plant is a new item. The
money Is needed FOR the purchase of
steam and electric equipment, The esti-
Ilale SET 1Ortl tnat the present power
and electric service plant at the expert
ment station is on the eve OF break
down.
For the mineral mining investiga tons,
an Increase Of $4,000 is asked, from
100000 TO $1,000
For tho inspection OF mines in Alaska
an Increase OF $500 over the previous
year Is asked. The same Increase Is
item for lands, leases. etc. for mine res
cue cars is decreased $1,000.
The item of $4,000 for inquiries and
investigations of petroleum and natural
gas Is for the first time pl5 ced sep
arateiy in the estimates and represents
an Increase. II calls for inquiries and
inyesugau tons concerning the mining.
preparation. treatment and utili2a ton OF
petroleum and natural gas. with View
TO economic development, and conserving
resources through the prevention of
waste On this subject, the estimate
contains the following statement:
In 1911 the total value OF the petro-
leum produced IN this country was
use fully produced was STi.i27,5 ,53i.
The magnitude OF the petroleum In
dustry, the Increasing value Of pc
troleum and natural gas as fuel,
and the rapid decline of the yield
from many fields emphasiz the need
OF conducting Inquiries concerning
the mining, treatment and utiliza-
tion OF petroleum and natural gas
ficient development OF these re-
sources. as we'll as Inquiries into the
economic conditions that have devel-
oped in the oil and gas industries.
with view 10 the determination OF
the factors governing production and
the means whereby supplies OF oil
and gas, especially those on public
lands or on lands controlled by the
government, can be utilized to best
advantage in promoting the public
welfare.
AS illustrating the need for in
cuiries and Investigations concerning
petroleum and natural gas, with
view 10 economic development Il is
pertinent to note the following ex-
tract from q recent report received
by the bureau OF mines regarding
the Gushing field Of Oklahoma: The
maximum yield OF oil from the Cush-
ing field has never reached $4,000
barrels per day. For a long period
IL has been considera bly, less than
20, 900 barrels. The average value of
oil at the highest market quotations
probably lies below $4,000 per day.
During th!s time there has been
wasting from drilling wells not less
than 100 100000 cubic feet OF gas.
while the waste from flowing wells
is perhaps In excess OF 200, 100000
cubic feet making d total daily
waste OF 300. 900 600, which, at the
domestic rate OF % cents per thou
sand, would be $4,000 per day In
fuel, or matter OF perhaps $4,000 n