The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-15
Are We 10 Have a Famine?
Mid. Continent

Oil and Gas journal The questioI
SIS often asked: "Are we 10 have pc
nroleum famine" And the answers are
.of various kinds. The practical oil men
of the country do not expect that lhere
,shall be a famine-if the oil interest u
are not handicapped by unwise leglsla
ton and unnecessary and discourasl" l"s
regulatory restrictions IT congress
does not tax the life out of the pro
ducng end of the oil industry there VIII
ha no famine. If such legislation should
he adopted, regardless of the warnings
that have been given to the lawmakers
the shortage Of oil to meet present ue
mands is bound to become serious
The entire question hinges on the pro
duction of oil The man VINO arms
holes into the earth. who takes chances
ON a 100 per cent loss i'm his prospecting
operations Is the one who holds the KEY
To the problem. If he is oVerpurueheu
with war-profit taxes at time Wheh
he has no war profits, ne VIII very H"t
urallv refuse to follow business lhat
holds no legitimate prospect of ordinary
reward for his industry. lie VIII puIl
the field and leave the situation to me
powers at Washington to manage lie
will not do this because he lacks pa
triotism. He will simply retire from the
business because he has been forced
out of it by legislative buneling.
The efforts of the tax trainers to take
so per cent of the oil prospectors al
legged profits were recently eNerted III
n direction that would most assureuly
have resulted in petroleum iamlhe'
but less drastic terms were subsequent
lv considered. \ 10 per cent reduction
was allowed Oklahoma senators nave
been trying to remedy matters to some
extent As this is writer the tax sit
nation as it affects the oil business IS
still meuacing, regardless OF attempts
TO reduce the volume of tribute which
the proposed war profit tax on oil pro
duCtiOn entails.
The fact is recognized that all classes
of industrialists are expected 20 assist
in providing revenues required in meet
ing war expenditures. Oil men are, as
has frequently been stated in these col
umns, fully in accord with every move
ment behind the lines that will help the
American army and navy to achleVe
victory in the war Oil men are pay
ing war taxes and are doing so WllIlhs-
". But when taxation is proposed that
will leave them nothing to work on, in
Il hazardous business, the matter takes
on a concrete form Of obstructive oppo-
sition to their Industrial activities.
Under the circumstances, the oil man
is unable, financially. to go ahead with
his work regardless of his personal SEN
timents.
In dealing with industrial problems
connected with war conditions, congress
viii serve the nations best interests by
aiding and not retarding necessary ana
essential enterprises.
Whether it be oil. powder steel, coal
or some other commodity that must be
provided for carrying on war, a policy
of cooperation by the government. ana
not one of opposition, is the only policy
10 be followed with reason. This fact IS
so vital that no action of congress
should be taken without consideration
Of it.
An oil famine would mean national
calamity at this period Of stress and
il must. by all means. be averted. The
oil producer will avert it if he is given |
proper support and encouragement If
he is to be harassed and handicapped /
by unjust and unreasonable tax legis'
lation the blame for any shortage in
the oil supply will not be his