Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-01-15
BY c. s. ALSERT

"hSEliENHt0GN, ~. L., Jan. r IN
controversy between the navy depart
ment and claimants to oil lands In
California began assuming an active
stage today. The senate COMMITTEES
on public lands took up the subject
The immediate results were approx
mately sensational The declaration
was made by Senator's Pittman and
Works that the navy department
would lose but per cent Of the lands
involved n full justice was done the
claimants. Other features developed
were equally astonishing.
In order that the issues at stake
be clearly understood this explanation
OF the events leading up to the pres.
ent disagreement between congress
and the navy department Is made from
the standpoint OF the oil men:
In 1897 congress passed a law
which provided that the public oil
lands OF the United States should be
subject to entry under the placer min
ing law. This was an invitation by
the United States to its citizens to
explore the public domain for oil,
and as an inducement TO encourage
such exploration the government Of.
fered to these citizens the title to
the land upon which oil might be dis
covered. Acting upon this invitation
the California oil operators did begin
such exploration and while these ex-
plorations we're In full progress the
land which they we're occupying and
upon which they we're working was
withdrawn from entry by the presi.
dent of the United States.
believing that such order could not
affect claims which they already had,
the operators continued their develop
ment and spent millions Of dollars on
this land. Now by an extremely
technical construction OF the law these
operators are In a fair way to lose
their investment because they had not
actually discovered OIL at the date Of
the withdrawal, although at that time
they had already initiated their claims
and spent thousands Of dollars In their
development. In other words, the
offered to its citizens a
title to certain public lands IL they
could discover oil thereon.
After the citizens accepted this
offer and began in good faith to ex-
plore for oil and had expended large
sums Of money In such exploration,
the government withdrew the offer;
and Is now attempting to take back
not only the land but the millions, Of
dollars worth Of improvements placed
thereon by the operators. Simple JUS
tice and common honesty require that
the government carry out its contract
with its citizens. Any other course
Is the plainest dishonesty and viii re-
suit in gross Injustice"
The controversy reached an. acute
stage at meeting OF the senate pub
Tic lands committee on Wednesday,
January s. At this meeting Senator
Pittman reported that the conference
appointed to attempt TO
reach satisfactory adjustment with
the navy department had utterly fall
ed In its purpose: that the navy de-
partment finally had refused to con-
sent to any relief whatever TO the oil
claimants no matter how strong their
equities or how Just their claims.
A lively and pointed discussion fol-
lowed In which all the senators pre-.
sent took part They declared them.
selves unanimously Of the opiniou
hat good faith upon the part Of the
to its Citizens and the
Simplest requirements ot honesty de-
that the operators hs gis.:'
some reispf and that the government
mould not deprive them through |
harsh legal but inequitable rules of
property 10 which they were Justly en-
titled. III
Nav. Department censured
The Navy Department came in for !
he Strongest censure sos 1au -krakmg |
II :cics which have Appeared in the
press from time to time aud whiea aI'-
,are .t.y pmanated from the Navy de-
Dartnlent. These articles having been
roundee on statements proven to be
ralse &ere especially iistasteful TO
he senator's.
Seuater Works bitterly crihcized
he Navy department Among other
.hings he said:
sThe navy Is seeking To rob our |
PEOPLE OF their rights. No honest man
n dealing with his own private inter
,sts would do any such thing. A pub
ic official representing the govern
nent should be just as honest as he
would be in acting In his own private |
.ffairs. No matter how important to
he government IL cannot afford to
protect itself by robbing any OF its
sitizens.
mo department Of the government |
has any jurisdiction over legislation
bending before Congress The inter
'erence of any such department with |
he course of legislation is unwarrant. |
ID. !"
Senator Thomas also spoke strong |
y ON the subject and other senators |
,oincided.
-aw Declared Ignored
Much indignation was shown at the |
act which was prominently brought |
mt that a law of Congress passed in |
9I4, signed by the president and de-
.lened to give relief 90 the oil opera.
ioAo1 <oakncf hol 4