Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-03-07
AMPLE SUPPLY AVAILABLE
Only Serious Problem to Be
Considered Is Transporta-
ton, Says Chief.
GAS FOR AUTOS ALLOWED
Heads of Industry Unanimous
in Desire to Cooperate
in Winning War.

NEW YORK, March G. Mark
Rcqua, chief OF tho oil division OF
the United states fuel adminlstra-
tion. declared tonight that there II
no expectation that the government
will take over and operate the oil
fields OF tho country. He said there
is ample oil territory available TO
maintain tho stocks OF petroleum
and that fhe only serious problem
TO be considered liz that OF the trans.
portation. These we're conclusions
drawn by MIR, Redua following a con-
ference OF oil men in this city TO
consider the petroleum situation.
The gathering represented tho
greatest aggregation OF oil operators
ever gathered in the United states,
said Mr. Requa, who added that the
heads OF the industry are unanimous
in their desire to cooperate with the
government Lack OF consolidated
statistics proved a~barrier 10 an ade-
quate conception OF the work. but
steps are being taken to obtain nee
S'sary data so that any differences
t&t may exist aH TO the general
petruNum situation may be recon
ciled
Transportation Complaint
Lack OF transportation proved to
be the principal basis for complaint
at the meeting Tank car mileage
averaged 80 miles per car in isii.
but this dropped TO approximately
~ miles for January. In February
tho movement OF tank cars was even
below this figure. Speeding up OF
railroad movement was considered
most vital and means TO bring about
this result are being considered.
Precedent set hs England In cutting
off the supply or gasoline TO pleasure
vehicles will not be followed for the
present at least. The situation In
England ir dissinilar TO that In the
United states because England pro-
duces no oil and has to rely entirely
upon Imports, while the United
own consumption, but exports II In
large quantities.
In the manufacture OF piel OIL"
"iF ANtaha AOfihuAr hAaphNN
must be considered as n by-product
for the reason that crude oil IL. be-
cause OF It's flashing point. danger
Gus for fuel purposes until the gas
oline has been removed. We thore-
fore have as necessary adjunct TO
fuel oil. the production OF certain
quantity OF gasoline wh!,h must he
disposed OF"
Last years production OF petro-
leum." Mr.. Requa >eentinued, was
approximately 320,000,000 barrels
and there was draft on oil IN stock
OF about twenty million barrels. The
average increase In production in
the United states In past years has,
broadly speaking, been something
over per cent OF the previous year,
consumption. There In ample oil
territory In the country and II In only
a question Of drilling 10 secure pro-
duction. There ~ ut this time no
expectation that the government VIII
take over and operate the oil fields,
believe that details OF operation
must be left In the hands OF tho mon
who are now directing thN industry
n We are 10 have the maximum re-
suit.
Possible to Comma ndccr.
at is true that the Lever bill un- |
der which both the fuel and food ad- |
are operating" he ex- !
planned, contains broad provisions I
governing the licensing OF the indus |
try and making OF rules and rcRulR- |
tlons. II is also possible 20 CONF !
oil should the occasion |
arise. In fact | am OF the opinion |
that almost any necessary step can /
be legally Justified under the Lever
bin
The petroleum problem involves
also the question OF supplies. for
which purpose the oil well supply |
committee has been created repre-
sentng, the industry of the United |
States, A survey has been underth-
ken and the oil well supplies In the
United states are being listed with |
q NlpW of tetarmiDinO avaettV the