The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-01-22

show Without pFeadYenture OF con-
tradiction that the development and
extension Of our oil fields mean great
things for our farmers As . matter
of fact, the oil peoples progress and
relentless activity already are bring
ing a yeritable bumper financial crop
to scores Of our farmers even though
the lands to be explored have never
yet been reached for development.
A certain oil company of only me.
dium size-not one OF the great cor.
porations also doing business in this
state-paid in rentals in Oklahoma
during 1916 the sum of $3.50, ,66L73.
That same rental, at least no less, will
be paid out by this company in 1917,
for it represents 4S0,667-z3 acres leas-
ed at one dallor an acre. Farmers who
own these properties are enjoying one
dollar an acre income from tens Of
thousands Of acres a drill has never
touched nor has there been any in
reference whatsoever with the tilling
Of soil or for other uses to which these
lands might have been put ordinarily
These rentals have been absolutely
clear profit
In addition, this company has paid
to farmers royalties of 274,919.32 bar.
rels Of oil; to labor, $4O2 ,155.3S; for
office expenses, Sl74,07715; for team.
ing, $93, In December it en-
ployed an average OF 976 persons.
It's payrolls in 1916 amounted to 1863.
6OlO3. Furthermore, it was constant
ly drilling an average of thirty con.
tract wells, with four men on each
contract at wage total OF S26 daily,
or $3.50 month at each well.
This company paid bonuses aggre.
eating $1,2S3.267SO, distributed
through forty-nine counties in Okla.
homa. These bonuses ranged from
N2i2O in one county to S117Sl5.75
in another. Surely the change cannot
stand which states that the rural dis.
tricts of Oklahoma do not share in
prosperity the oil industry estab.
fishes! Surely nobody can dispute the
reality Of the boon the oil industry
brings to farmers in the form of rem
tai and bonus
In Pane, Carter Creek, jefferson,
Lincoln and Tulsa counties this ocn-
Germ paid a total of Sl99,517S7 in
taxes. Its gross production tax was
S5S,3S77S on top Of that. Its gross
oil production in 1916 was 2,2O5 .O79 So
barrels and farmers received 274,919.-
80 of that.
Here's other evidence that all is
not clear profit in the oil game, as
some would have the uninformed pub.
lie believe. This is the statement,
covering eleven months of 1916 of a
comparatively small company-the
figures OF December not being in.
cluded.
Payroll and salaries, $4O6 .S92.52:
contractors, 1858 ,9GS.O9; supply houses
$GO3,1S6.22; insurance, SIG, G,3977O; per
sonal injuries, SlOOOO.OO; depreciation
$9ll,265.29; rentals, S12,O33.S4; roy.
alties, S57O,75173; taxes, S93.43493;
superintendent and office expenses
SlS5i.7l; auto expenses, ~S5,59316;
interest S26S,OOG.22; miscellaneous
general expense, $i,l9I7O; total ex.
penses, $3,2G2.5S211.
This same company drilled ten dry
holes in 1916, dead loss Of tens of
thousands of dollars. And it spent for
permanent construction. pipelines. a
/ total OF $9l ,jOG.S4.
Can more convincing testimony be
loucI, that the oil industry deserves
consideration by the legislature and
| state government? Why should II be
Ipcnalizcd? Is there any reason, legiti-
mate reason, why it should be laden
| with taxes that would not be tolerated
by any other industrial line in Okla.
homa? is there any other industry
performing such miracles for the pub.
| lie profit and good as this individual
industry which is the target Of mjus.
tice ana the victim OF no less than
lcgalizcd robbery?
oil may be- found in any part of
Oklahoma \ vast part OF the state.
olready is leased for oil development
Thousands of farmers are reyeling in
regular incomes from il. School dis.
tricts counties, the whole state are en-.
| joying the fruits of the oil mans zeal
and courage and progress. win the
people permit the throtting or hamp
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