The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26


ing as far cast as New Jersey, through
which the bulk Of the oil now being
used for war purposes is being trans
ported
Mexico Nay Help Relieve ShottAGe.
There is yet another field which is
disturbing factor in the oil situation,
because Of the uncertainty involved in
its future, and that is the Mexican
field II is we'll known that Great
Britain has been considerably depend
ent upon this field for naval purposes.
and the United States has also been a
large importer from the Tampioo dis
trict. The unsettled conditions in Mex
ico have for many months put the oil
industry in that section on a precariouS
footing, and at the present time some
what divided jurisdiction still remains
as a cause OF friction and uneasinesS
Oil which now pours into the pipe lines
in the Tampico fields is taxed by a
local authority and II IS taxed again
for the direct benefit OF the Carranra
government when II comes out at the
other end. The increase in taxes is
not only burdensome in itself, but the
possibilities OF political caprice, which
may manifest itself at any time in pc
culiar ways. constitutes a menace not
to be overlooked at any time. As long
as the present status can be main.
tanned it is probable that this field will
continue to do as well as at present {;
but nobody is now in position to say
definitely that this status can be main
tanned. much less improved.
Allies Need Much Petroleum
The latest available statistics relating
to the oil industry, as it is affected by
the present war conditions, are con-
tanned in compilation prepared by the
bureau of mines and the geological
survey for the council OF national de-
fence in the latter part of May. The
report was prepared at the request Of
Mr.. Bernard Baruch OF New York. a
member of the advisory committee Of
that body, and was recently called to
the Official attention OF congress in
connection with pending oil legsla-
ton. The report Immediately rccog-
nizes the fact that the war in Europe
is as much an "oil war" as a battle of
blood and iron" The problem before
the oil industry Of this countrySs thus
stated:
"A consideration OF the present stat
us of the petroleum industry in the
United States and its intimate tela-
tion TO the progress OF the war brings
forcibly to the mind of close OBJ
server, first, that our allies must have
petroleum in increasingly large guam
titles second, that the United States
must furnish the bulk OF it. and, third
that the country is facing a shortage ir
petroleum and some OF its products"
Reviewing the possible production o
oil 10 this country this year, the repor
goes. into detail on the situation in thu
various oil fields. The conclusion i,
reached that there will be no additiona
production this year in the Appalachian
fields unless new transportation facili
ties are provided for the kentuck,
fields, in which case production ma,
be increased by 100000 barrels only
that the Lima, Ind, field will do wei
| to maintain its production OF 4,0O0W
I barrels of last year, which figure rep
resented a reduction OF 81 percent il
the production of l9l5; that there !
not only no prospect OF an increase i
the Illinois fields, but a possibility @
decrease Of 100000 barrels; that Il,