Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-13

HUDSON TO PLACE
BILLS IN HOUSE
One Bill Provides Against
Storing Of Oil III Tanks;
to Cause Fight.
BY GLENN CONDON.
(Staff Correspondent.)


NKLAHOMA CITY, Jan l2.--As
~ thte result of a secret conference
here this evening, which was attended
by producers OF Nowata, Okmulgee
and Bartlesville. members of the house
oil and gas committee, Speaker Nc
Crory, oil Umpire A. Il. Watts and
Corporation Commissioner George A.
Henshaw. three oil and gas bills will
be introduced In the legislature within
the next few days
one OF THESE bills will confer upon
the corporation commission full power
to regulate the production and pur-
chase Of oil. including authority to
prescribe rules for the prevention of
waste In the field. Another will per-
tain solely to the conservation OF gas
and the third provides stringent rules
for the regulation of pipe lines.
II Is understood that Representative
Wash Hudson OF Tulsa will introduce
the bills In the house, No members
Of the senate were at the conference.
Confcrs Legislative Powers.
on the inference that the first bill
proposes to confer legislative authority
upon the corporation commission,
Representative James III. Sykes. a
member of the oil and gas committee,
told the conference that In his oplns
ion the measure was unconstitutional.
Commissioner Henshaw declared that
he had looked up the law and such
was not the case. He offered to pre-
pare a brief on the subject and Skyes
told him that this would be the only
means of changing his opinion.
No Tulsa Man Present.
Sykes created Il slight furore when
he arose and asked why none OF the
oil producers from his home county Of
Tulsa, the oil center Of the mid-con-
tinent field, were I'm attendance at the
conference He also pointed out that
not u single Cushing producer was
present, as a matter of fact, a very
small portion Of the oklahoma oil
production was represented at the
meeting. 1t was widely rumored to-
night that the Tulsa and Cushing pro-
ducers were neither invited or per-
mitted TO attend tho conference. The
three bills that are 10 be introduced
were drawn up largely after the sug-
gestions Of representatives OF the bu-
reau OF mines at Washington An at
torney and several experts from the
bureau are here assisting In framing
the measures
Prevent Storage.
They base their conclusions solely
upon theory. One Of the bills would
prevent the storage OF oil in tanks.
and this, the experts claim, is the only
method Of securing a better price for
the crude Their contention Is ana
they have embodied 1t In the bills
that the best means of accomplishing
the desired result to conserve the oil
until the pipe lines are forced to get
down on their knees and beg for pro-
duction.
The bill gives the corporation COM
mission the power to appoint umpires.
guugers and other employees for tho
enforcement OF it's orders in the field,
but makes the appointments subject
to confirmation OF the governor.
Punishment Heavy.
Persons who violate any provision
OF any Of the bills or disObey the cor
poration commissions orders and rules
will be adjudged guilty OF a misde-
meanor under the terms OF the act
and will be subject to Imprisonment
for thirty days and fine OF $1,000.
Regardless Of the merits or de-
merits Of the three bills agreed upon
at the conference. 1t is generally ac-
cepted in legislative circles that tho
bills, when introduced, will be the
means OF starting sensational fight
I'm house as well as In the senate and
interesting developments are looked
for
The oil and gas committee of the
house was increased today from four
teen TO sixteen members. The two ad-
ditiOnal members will be appointed to-
morrow by Speaker McCrory.