Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-01
Undue Opposition to
Removing Restrictions
Indcpendent Producers Wire Protests
10 Cato Sells, Which arc Likely
to Delay Building Pipe Line

The efforts OF White & Sinclair TO
get tho interior department to re-
move the restriction limiting pipe
lines and individuals TO 4.S00 acres OF
Indian leases has stirred up the oppo-
sition OF all the so-called independent
oil producers associations In Okla
homa. Telegrams have been sent TO
| Indian Commissioners Cato Sells pro-
testing against the removal or the re-
strictions and denouncing the instiga'
tors OF the movement as being IN
league with the Invisible powers
which are supposed to direct every
thing in connections with the oil busi-
ness, and which the usual claim ~
made, always works In the dark.
II was anticipated when the an
nouncement was first made that ap-
plicatlon had been made to the de
partment to alter its ruling III TINS
matter that there would be row
stirred up. but there was no outward
evidence of opposition until the diff
fcrent oil associations sprung the
resolutions which were forwarded to
Mr.. Sells yesterday and the day be
fore. These expressions of sentiment,
1t Is claimed, was the result or a re-
quest from the commissioner to the
various associations for their senu-
ments on the proposed change.
Was Before Lane.
Ex-Governor Haskell and w. NJ.
Mowris recently appeared before a
| Joint meeting of the congressional
,. delegation from Oklahoma before
Secretary Lane and formally laid the
whole matter before him. He appar-
emily did not feel disposed to take the
responsibility of resembling the regu-
| latiOn and put the matter up to Presl
dent Wilson. who up to this time has
not signified his intentions one way
or the other If he does not direct
the secretary of the interior to make
the change the matter will be taken
before congress, it is claimed, as that
is the only way the desired action
can he obtained, If neither the secre-
tary Of the interior nor the president
will act
Tho representation is made that
none Of the present pipe lines or their
allied interests are in sympathy with
the movement, and on the other hand
the resolutions passed by the oil as
sociations take the position that the
pipe lines are the power In the back
ground
Didn't Discuss Merits.
There has been very little discussion
a Sinclair frankly admit their desire
TO have the order rescinded, and
claim that it will aid them very ma
terially i'm the construction and oper-
alton Of their new pipe line. Many or
the big Independent producers are
supporting them in their efforts. Most
of hat portion of the oil fraternity
represented by the small dealers IN
properties who make business or
blocking up leases and selling them to
parties who can develop them, are
lined UP with the movement to take
| off the restrictions.
There is a general feeling that the
opposition springs largely on one side
| from those oil men who have an un-
dying cnmity Of the pipe lines and
| the various interests classified as be-
| longing to monopoly, in which class
every Independent producer is clasSed
as soon as he gets enough production
! 20 become a factor of any consequence
| i'm the oil business, and shows signs
| Of desiring to continue in 1t. On the
other hand the charge is made that
! the pipe line interests are themselves
! inspiring the opposition because the
! laying of another pipe line IN this
state will mean more competition.
These are the usual stock argu-
ments brought out of the closet when
anything occurs in the oil business
OF more Importance than bring
ing in ten barrel well in the shall
| low sand aud can always he dis
counted very considerably.
The public is Interested in getting
more pipe lines and in seeing the oil
! business continue in a growing and
| flourishne condition and will support
any movement in that direction,
whether IL helps or hnders the pipe
| lines. knowing that they are essential
to the business. The public Is In
! tercsted only in seeing square deal
/ and resolutions based on prejudice.
bias or erroneous misconstruction of
their origin will not deceive although
1t may delay just and equitable ac-
ton
The feeling Is that if taking off the
restriction will help to develop and
promote the oil business by bringing
in another pipe line that there should
not he any hesitancy In taking II Off.
regardless OF whether the present
pine lines are in favor of 1t or not.