Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-05
WILSON'S DEBT
TO CALIFORNIA
IMPERMS OIL
Power of Land Exploiters En-
hanced by Presidential
Vote of State

Washington. D. C.-Involved with
heavy political obligation of the Will
son administration to the State of Cali
fornia. the vital interest of the United
States Navy in the preservation of It's
reserve fuel oil supply is again in
jeopardy.
In every way the fight between the
oil land exploiters and those support
Ing the broad national interest of
preservation of these vital oil supplies
to the navy promises to be more bitter
than ever before.
Far stronger influences are now
marshaled in support of the oil land
speculator who seeks legislation from
Congress which would rob the navy of
every barrel of reserve fuel oil that Is
required to protect the navy against q
shortage In a future time of crisis.
Their Power Enhanced
the part played by California in Civ
ing woodrow Wilson the electoral
votes which enabled him to nose out
ahead in the close presidential race
mas inevitably greatly enhanced the
power of the political influences sup
porting or obeying the oil land claim
ant in this big battle.
And in the crucial campaign waged
by the administration in California for
those thirteen electoral votes the oil
interests were not backward in seek
ing pledges of support from those
whose fate was at stake on Novem-
ber Z.
The weight of such political in
tiuence in such situation is not hard
10 gain. Senator Phelan was the
Original Wilson man. in California.
He financed the campaign of Franklin
*. Lane when he was candidate for
the office of governor of California,
and 1t was Senator Phelan, according
TO the best obtainable information,
who obtained the appointment of Mr..
Lane to the Wilson Cabinet. 1t was
senator Phelan more than any other
man who won for Wilson In California
on November last.
senator Phelan Is the father Of the
legislation which would turn the nayy's
oil land over to these private interests
"A strong plea for the establishment
OF suitable petroleum preserves for the
united States navy formed the burden
OF statement made by Assistant Sec
retary of the Navy Franklin d. Roose-
velt to representative of the Navy
League of the United States in WASH
ington.
Navy Depends On It
Mr.. Roosevelt considers that the
future existence of the navy depends
upon prompt and adequate action. He
points out that the supply of petro-
leum is steadily diminishing and be-
lieves that in the matter of oil lands
withdrawn from public entry by the
government, part of which Is claimed
by ertrymen. suitable tribunal should
be created to adjudicate between the
government and private claimants.
1t is absolutely vital, said Mr..
Roosevelt. that the navy should be
able to obtain. within it's own borders,
enough fuei to supply the navy's needs
This, l estimate. for the fiscal year
l9i1, approximately one and one-half
million barrels. With the building Of
new ships the demand will increase
until in 1928 almost seven million bar
rels will be required, and by 1927 it
VIII be necessary to provide over ter
millions of barrels"
Mr. Roosevelt points out that oil
burning ships mean more speed; con-
troll over smoke emission, so that ad-
vantage may be taken of the ability to
utilize. smoke screens: reduction of the
fire room force; ability to refuel at
sea and greater safety to vessels from
submarine attack because of greater
permissible subdivision of ship and
other points we'll understood by naval
eXDertS