The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-26
Oil Men Turn Guns
On Secretary Daniels
California and Wyoming Operators Appeal to Pres
ident for Relief Legislation Opposed
by Navy Head.

The California and Wyoming on
operators, In their effort TO secure
remedial legislation restoring their
rights to lands on which they have done
development work IN good faith. have
turned their guns on Secretary OF the
Navy Daniels.
Mr.. Daniels. I'm statements on the
subject. has opposed the relief legisla-
ton on the ground that the remaining
reserves OF oil for naval purposes might
prove insufficient. and that the Govern
ment ought to keep control OF the lands
whose development would be possible
II the relief measure should pass.
This view Ia vigorously combated by
the California oil people, who insist
that II does their case a great injustice.
ably reported by the Senate Public
Lands Committee, though not aiiite
Identical with the House provision.
Mr.. Daniels criticisms inspired menu
pers OF the Senate Public Lands Com
mittee 70 call on the President today.
In behalf Of the measure.
Senators Ws1sh, Myers, Thomas. Pitt
man, and Phelan explained the situa-
ton in detail to the President. and fol-
discussed It for publication. and made
answer to Secretary Daniels.
DeCiaTes rear OnIOun0e0.
ut was stated that the fear OF the
Secretary of the Navy as to a shortage
In the oil supply was not borne out by
the facts. The volume of Oil in the
ground Ia hard to estimate, but, outside
Of reserve No. 2 containing 5000 acres
and about which the navy centers it's
opposition. the Government owns 5000.
600 acres, supposed to contain 100000 =
ooo barrels OF oil.
The navy new consumes goo. 900 bar.
rels a year. More than half Of naval
reserve No. 2 is held by unassailabie
titles OF patented land and is being oper-
ated extensively at this time. so Il cam
not be called reserve at all. because
the Wells now being pumped win
The claims made on the other half
OF II. with the exception OF one section,
were all made under the placer law reg
nlarly before the presidential with
drowal and work diligently prosecuted,
so there would be no question about the
right Of the claimants we're Il not for
the fact that the Pickett law, passed In
1910. Is used In retroactive way against
the existing law and did their work prior
to the presidential withdrawal.
The Pickett act was intended for the
relief OF oil operators and had their
approval. but Federal Judge has just
decided that where the law said they
| should be at work on the nth day OF
September. 1909. and they were NOT
actually dr. illling on that day, but were
building roads or carrying water OF
erecting derricks that they had lost their
legal standing: AL parties to the con-
ference agreed that the decision was
exceedingly harsh and technical.
Aims To Remedy Condition.
The object OF the pending legislation
is to remedy this condition. and give
the men who have, an good faith. made
their claims prior to the Presidential
withdrawal and worked their claims. q
1 patent. Only, $40 acres are involved in
The discovery and production of oil
has been the work Of private enterprise.
The Navy has not produced one barrel
Of oil from the public doinm. II has