Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-03
OIL MEN MEET TO
PLAN TEAMWORK
Standard and Independents
Get Together for Pa
triotic Service.
BEDFORD PRAISES PRODUCER
Government Control Not Like
ly Unless Prices Should
Soar. Beyond Reason.
BEDFORD PRAISES PRODUCER
(By w. III. PECK


KANSAS CITY. Oct. 2.-For the
first time in the history of the petrol
cum industry, Standard Oil officials
and Independent oil men met on COM
mon ground here today in patriotic
conference to determine the manner
in which the production and refining
of oil In America shall be systematized
for the duration of the war.
Operators present at the meeting
control approximately 80 per cent Of
the oil industry in the United States
1t was tonight at banquet in the
great banquet room of the Muelebach
hotel, given by the Western Petroleum
Refiners association in honor OF the
petroleum committee of the advisory
commission of the council of national
defense, that speeches delivered by
A. G.. Bedford. preside ent of the Stand
ard Oil company, and others brought
out the necessity for cooperation of all
tu prevent the United States and its
allies being handicapped in the graet
world war by the lack of petroleum
and Its products.
Patriotism Keynote.
Patriotism was the keynote of the
gathering and all the banqueters stood
when the orchestra struck up The Star
Spangled Banner and a living God
DO of Liberty" sang the national
anthem.
.uv guests of homer were seated
at a long table at one side of the
room and were as follows: IL. q.
James, president of the Western Fe-
troloum Rcfiners association, and on
his left in the order named were. A.
Clark Bedford. president of the
Standard Oil company of New Jersey
and chairman of the national defense
Is.I In n.
Member of the economies advisory
board of the federal trades commis-
sion; Doctor Burton of the Standard of
Indiana, IT, T.. Shock of the India
homa Refinery company, Il. Il, Grant
of the Independent on Mems asso-
citation, Congre ssman Borland, rep
resenting the Kansas City district in
the lower house, and e. Il. Perry oil
Cosden 4 Co. On the right We're
seated Sir Frederick Black of the
! British war mission, H. l.. Sinclair,
John Markham, jr., ID. w. Moffitt OF
| Cosdon & Co., James O'Ncil, president
1. OF the Prairie oil < Gas Co; !. NJ.
Cudahy of the Sinclair staff, James
King Duffy of the Phoenix Refining
Co., Harry Rogers, who spoke for
the oil producers, and Judge Shea OF
Tulsa.
Bedford Urges Cooperation.
The first speaker was A. Clark Bed
ford and after paying d high compli-
ment to his hearers by saying that IL
was patriotism that brought them to-
gether and no other motive, he
launched his argument in behalf of
cooperation of intelligent efficiency
and a get-together spirit.
There are four important points |
wish to emphasize" said Mr.. Bedford.
|
ceive the first call upon all petroleum
produced, either for itself or as 1t may
designate for the use of our allies in
their conduct of the war.
Second, the petroleum industry is
not so far as prices go, on q war
basis. / mean by that statement to
say the prices are reasonable and fair
and no undue advantage has been
taken because of either the eXtraordi-
nary demand due 10 war conditions or
Increased cost or shortage of crude.
Prices have not materially increased
during the present war; in spite of the
increasing cost due TO increase IN
wages and high cost of material, and
believe the trade generally will main
tain that position, making only such
advances in the prices of their prod
ucts as may be necessary TO meet in
| creases in cost of manufacture or ma
tcrial or crude oil.
Third. Should, however there oc-
velop tendency toward the eslaD-
lishment Of runaway prices, it would
invite government regulation OF prices
Production should BE Encouraged.
Fourth. Within these limitations
the law Of supply and demand should
be permitted to operate freely. anC
above all else every possible induce
ment, patriotic. educational. anc
financial. should be given to the crud,
oil producer of the country to brinf
forth from the earth where plent,
of oil is still concealed all the crude
petroleum which may be necessar,
not only for the conduct Of the wal
\ CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR