Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-05
White G. Sinclair to Con-
tinue Fight to Lift 480O-
Acre Limit.
GREAT BLOW AT
OIL PROSPERITY
Producers Biting Off Their
Noses to Spite Their
Own Faces.
TUE announcement OF Indian

LIZ announcement VI ii'''i"'i
Il Commissioner Sells that it
had been decided not to make
any changes in the orders OF the
Interior Department Ill relation
to the 4S00-acre restriction on
Indian oil leases has not ended
the efforts Of the White 4 SIN
clair interests to secure a modl-
fication of this rule. According
to a wire received from Harry
Sinclair yesterday from his hotel
in New York City, they are go
ing to press the matter for
further consideration and unless
the order can be modified they
will not proceed with the ar
rangement for the construction
of their new pipe line.
This is the most disheartening
news that has come to the oil
country since the price began to
decline several months ago, due
to over-production and lack of
pipe line facilities to handle pres
ent production. The effect of
the announcement that White &
Sinclair had succeeded i'll financ-
ing another pipe line to the gulf
coast was almost instantaneous
and more optimistic feeling
prevailed throughout the entire
field.
Business men have felt the ef-
fects Of a depression in the oil
fields and were hopeful that
with the opening Of spring and
the certainty of having another
large purchasing agent in the
field. able to compete with the
biggest interests in the oil bus
mess coupled with the announce
ment that additional pipe line
facilities were also being pro
vided by the Prairie Oil & Gas
Co, has caused a degree of OPP
timiSm to prevail that will neces-
sarily suffer temporary set
back.
Change i'm Sentiment.
As soon as il was learned yesterday
that White & Sinclair were going to
drop their plans for building pipe
line and refinery II some modifica-
ton Of the restrictions on Indian
leases were not made that would let
them in on a footing equal to the
pipe lines already in operation, there
was a decided change in public senti-
ment Many people who have hereto
fore been indifferent and who were
disposed to look upon the matter as of
little consequence one way or the
other. began to get busy and the de-
partment Will at least have the other
side OF the question to look at before
it shuts up entirely
Many who signed the telegram pro-
testing against the proposed removal
of the restriction are waking up and
countermandiug their signatures.
Too Much Prejudice.
OH field workers, teamsters. busi-
ness men and others whose financial
welfare Is dependent upon activities
i'm the oil business are sitting up and
taking notice. They are beginning TO
give the matter serious consideration
Arguments. and not prejudice or de-
nunciation. are being used to arrive
at u just and fair conclusion.
The restriction was put into effect
in the early days of the oil business.
when there were practically nothing
bus departmental leases to be had. No
one apparently except the pipe lines
and the largest producers has ever
paid any particular attention TO the
restriction. They could not afford to
become involved in trouble with the
government officials while the smaller
dealer could take the chances and
hundreds OF them have been reported
in times past by Indian agents. ,ut
up to the present time no action has
ever been taken in a single case so
far as known.
Law n Dead Letter.
But since the order went into ef.
feet, hundreds Of thousands Of acres
OF Indian lands have had restrictions
removed, converting the leases into
Commercial instead OF depart
mental" and the big companies have
gobblcd them ~. In many instances
the big companies have been instru-
mental in getting the restrictions re-
C~c.f,,od ~ l,,ro