Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-11-21
N1uRu nrsolRcrs FOR WAX Purposes


~ NE OF the beneficial results Of the win be the
~ greatly stimulated development Of natural re-
sources especially those in the public domain. Protec
tive legislation that Congress has enacted from time to
time and litigation that has arisen in the application OF
the land laws have caused needless delay in making
available the immense mineral wealth contained public
lands that is intended to cut the red tape in
such matters greatly increase the production Of coal
OIL ETC. pending the Calendar OF the Senate
ready to be taken up for action when Congress meets on
December 3 IL is a nonpartisan measure, and it Is
understood to have received the approval Of all members
Of the Committee on Public Lands from which It was
reported.
It may not be generally realized that in spite Of the
hugely Increased demand account Of the the pro-
ducon of gasoline and other oils 100000 barrels
less this year than IN 1916. One Of the contributing
causes OF The has been the longconnued suits
in connection with what known Naval Oil Reserve
No 2 situated in California. That comprises
about 10000 acres Of oil land that Withdrawn from
entry by President Taft and disputes have arisen in
volvng the title Of the Government and that Of many
prospectors who were working their claims the re-
serve at the time the Withdrawal made. The land
Is estimated to contain 3OOOOOOOO barrels Of oil which
has up the present time scarcely been touched Under
the pending bill method is provided whereby the Sec
rotary OF the Interior settle the litigation and make
the immense reservoir Of oil Immediately available for the
public use.
The bin also is aimed 10 relieve the coal situation by
making It possible for any association or corporation to
upon 1850 Of reserved coal lands Of the Gov
eminent upon the payment of fee Of from $40 to $40
an acre. depending upon the distance Of the claim from
railroad The good faith Of the claimant must be shown
by the expenditure at least $4,000 within on
development work, whereupon a patent win be granted
for the tract At tile present moment the Government is
proprietor Of 100000 Of land known to
tain coal and the committee urges that the development
Of that huge by several thousand Independent coal
operators viii greatly relieve the present shortage Not
only will the supply be increased but the public coal
lands located IA different States the transportation
problem viii bereeyed also by the larger local produc-
lion
The deposits Of sodium, potash and phosphate on the
public domain are TO be thrown open by the provisions
Of the bill in much the way the coal lands, and
enormously increased productions Of those minerals
necessary the farmers Of the country anticipated
when the bill becomes a law.
Similar have passed the House Of Representa-
lives twice and the senate once in previous Congresses
but heretofore they have always failed Of final enactment
because Of emphatcay differing views Of Senator'S and
Representatives regarding the merits Of the oil question
in Naval Reserve No. , In face Of the fact that the
successful conduct of the absolutely dependent
Immediately increased production Of OIL compromise
understanding has heen reached and the early passage
Of the measure Is anticipated