Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-06-11
SAY CRESCENT WILL
Be OPENED TUESDAY
SLATER AND HOFFMAN TO RE.
SUME WORK THEN-WILLIAM.
son TELLS SITUATION.

Active preparations for reopen
ing and testing the production Of oil
expected to be found in the Crescent
we'll near Tenino will be undertaken
next Tuesday by John C. Slater and
associates, according to Emery C..
Williamson, secretary-terasurer Of
the company. a period of approxi-
mately As days having elapsed since
the casing in the we'll was last ce-
mented. II Slater does not under
take the work at that time or con-
tinues to delay it for other than me-
chanical reasons. Williamson, in a
public statement published below,
says the officers Of the company will
proceed with the work.
Tacoma stockholders of the Cres-
cent company, headed by C. Christie
pher, who drilled the first we'll in the
district some IL years ago, have
lately been stirring up quite a hor-
nets nest over the company's con-
tract and dealings with Slater and
his field superintendent, J. v. Hoff-
man, and at meeting the latter part
of last week demanded that the Of
hcers of the company reopen the
we'll and threatened court action un-
less they did. The statement pub
lished below was Williamson's reply
to the various charges made by Chris
topher at this meeting.
Wait Until Next Week.
Monday night, however, at another
meeting, the Tacoma stockholders
voted to wait until June Is. to see II
Slater would resume work on the
we'll, and set another meeting for
June 16. II he proceeds to test the
production they believe the we'll will
show, upon statements said to have
been made by Hoffman that he could
shoot the oil over the derrick after
three hours work." they will be con-
tent; If he does not, they say they
will "start something" To add to
the excitement. Watson & Fullerton,
Centralia grocers, attached the COM
pany's property to protect $50 bill.
Williamson, in defending the attach
ment, said the firm had never pre-
sented q bill.
Christopher has instituted other
meetings Of stockholders at Tenino
and Centralia, wherein he has reiter-
ated his charges against the Crescent
company. Locally, however, there Is
strong confidence in the old officers
of the company and belief that they
made the best deal they could with
Slater at a critical time in the COM
pany's affairs, and local people are
disposed to wait and see II Slater
resumes work next week.
Williamson's statement, explaining
the situation an which the company
finds itself, follows:
Statement to Stockholders.
To the Stockholders OF the Crescent
Oil Company and the General Pub
lie Interested in Oil Development:
Gentlemen:
The charge that the Crescent we'll
is being delayed to the injury Of its
stockholders is false. 1t was cement
ed on May 5th, and on advice Of the
manufacturers of the cement used
the we'll is not being disturbed until
45 days have expired from time OF
placing the cement in the well. The
officers of the Crescent Oil company
believe that Mr.. Slater will conscien'
tiously 60 to work to finish the well
on the 18th of this month. We will
tolerate no delay except Of mechani'
cal necessity and If Mr.. Slater does
not open the we'll, we will take i'm
mediate steps to do so.
The charge that Crescent has beer
impoverished of its leases is false
Mr.. Christopher, who has made the
charges. knows that 1t is false. The
secretary of the company personally
showed him and his expert account
ants. who recently investigated th1'
company. a greater volume OF leases
than the Crescent had one year ago
towit. in excess of 1000 acres. ant
Mr.. Christopher then personally ad
mitted to the secretary that Crescen
had made good absolutely as to hold
Ing leases.
The suitcase to John c. Slater o
part of Discovery lease is the high
est royalty yet contracted in this fel'
and many experienced oil men hav
stated that It is the best Crescen
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