Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-06-30

Mr.. Roqua, director Of the oil
division Of the United States fuel ad-
minis'rauon, IN letter to Mr.. A. c.
hcdford, chairman Of the national
petroleum war service committee,
In keeping with the policy which
mo government has been following
SINCE the creation OF the committee,
states his belief that such a program
can best be outlined by the commit
tee rather than by the government.
because such a program involves
the welfare not alone Of the pro.
dueer but OF all branches of the
business"
Ono of vital Factors.
ANY plan" said Mr.. Requa. Twill
prove unsatisfactory at this tirne that
fails 10 recognize that petroleum. is
one Of our most vital national ne
cessitics to be dealt with not as a
problem Of production. transporta-
Ilon, refining or marketing. but rath-
cr as u whole tho component parts
or which must concede and provide
for The necessities OF all the other
partg"
Mr.. Requa suggests consideration
.of the California plan under which
a base price In established for all Of
"a given gravity with additions for
every degree OF higher gravity and
deductions for every degree OF low
er gravity than the established
standard.
But adds Mr.. Requa, 81 believe
the committee should approach the
problem without much II any sug-
gestion from the division. Keeping
In mind, however, the one general
thought that 1t IL desirable to have
the oil Industry AZ a whole, firmly
committed 10 certain reasonable and
stabilized base prices with certain
manufacturing diffcrentials and reg.
ulatlons that will permit OF reason
able and maximum output without
adding to the price OF the finished
product.
Has Immediate Need.
That some such program must
OF necessity be made effective short
ly l believe goes without saying.
Pending the discussion OF this matter
and report OF the committees which
shall hope to receive soon, | shall
expect that existing premiums and
distribution OF crude oil will remain
unchanged as voluntary action OF
the Industry rather than due to any
order OF this department"
Mr.. Requa, on May II. suggested
that competition In the paying Of
premiums over and above estab-
lished price for crude oil production
should be discouraged. The special
occasion for raising the subject at
this time is that several instances OF
increased price, due TO competition,
have come to the attention OF the
oil division, forcing belief In the ne
cessity that some voluntary action
be taken by the industry to estab-
llsh definite and fixed iifferentials
for crude OF various qualities.
Mr.. A. c. Bedford. chairman OF
the national petroleum war service
in making public receipt
OF the letter from Mr.. Requa, said;
Premium Competition Eliminated.
THE national petroleum war serv
i've committee as only too eager 10
cooperate with Mr. Rcqua In seeing
to 1t that competition In the payment
OF premiums should be, as far as
possible. eliminated. We feel that
the distribution OF petroleum should
be governed primarily by war ne
cess' ties, that every reflner should
receive the share OF available crude
which he has been accustomed to re-
celve and that there should be no oc-
casion for any refiner paying un-
usual prices in order to obtain such
share.
The petroleum industry Is COM
mitted to an effort TO attempt to ac-
,complish the maximum of co-opera-
tion with the government az the vol
untary act OF the industry itself. All
factors in the industry are co-operat-
ing in a policy OF self-regulation, an
effort in which we are being en-
couraged to the utmost by Mr..
Reaua, and an effort which | may
say is calling forth not only the
highest patriotism OF all factors In
the industry and a spirit OF co'opera'
ton never before elected, but Is also
effectlng the best producing 70. ana
manufacturing results which nave
a,,nr honp realiYed I'm this industry