Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1919-03-22
NEWS LETTER FROM
 HOLBROOK SECTION
By JAMES F. oBHIEN Asst-6scy. Chamber of Commerce.

Holbrook, Arizona, March 22- That Holbrook is on the eve of acti- vities which will before snow flies again assume the Oroportion of real boom, is the prevailing opinion in this field today. And that opin- ion is freely expressed by the new conner who arrived with doubt in his mind as to the oil possibilities of the Holbrook area-as we'll as by the conservative old-timer who has pros pered greatly in the past and who has no strong desire for radical changes.
 In fact, MT. A. Swan, who has been for years with the Guggenheims in responsible positions, and who has been in Holbrook for the past week acquiring additional holdings of oil lands, predicts that the boom will be on us within the next 60 days, even though no pay we'll is brought in be- fore that time, as is now considered possible. MT. Swan has recently been in charge of the big Silverbell mines, near Tucson, and is in a pos ition to feel the public pulse.
 There are many substantial reas- ons for believing that the outlook for the future is bright: In the, first place there is a marked improvement in theshowing of both the Hopi and the Adamana wells, with indications that oil will be struck sooner than was expected.
 Exaggerated reports as to the amount of gas struck in the Hopi we'll continue to be circulated on the outside, notwithstanding that they have been denied by the management and are deprecated by those interest ed here, but it is also believed that the showing is better than would be indicated by the conservative off cial reports.
 Another reason for great optimism is the fact that within the past 10 days 23 sections of patented land have been acquired by strong finan- cial interests, and under the con- tracts signed, at least eight new rigs must be working within 60 days. Not less than one rig each must go on every section within reasonable time, but between two different out fits rigs must be brought in. before May 18th.
 Still others, backed by ample capi- tai and experience, are figuring on getting busy very shortly, but the de- finite contracts have not been sign ed as yet. An operator from the Texas fields, with 25 years success full experience, is due here the last of the week to pass on large acre. age tentatively secured for him and, if taken, this also calls for drill ing to be started two months after lease is signed.
 What Holbrook has been looking for is men with money and exper- fence to put down wells where many geologists of repute say prolific oil sands are likely to be found. These men are now in, but there is room for more. It is significant that in most deals recently made cash bonus was paid, in addition to the proviso for the usual royalty-something that was not even asked but month ago
 Practically all the deals above re. ferred to were made with the Aztec Petroleum Securities Co.,, of which Gov. Meiklejohn, Jack Marden, Sen. ator Mayfield and Tom McCauley art the principal owners, but many smaller deals have also been made with other parties, and the demand for lands and leases is assuming large proportions. Five of the new rigs which are due within 60 day are to be brought in by prominen New York interests, represented b. Chas. Oster of that city, the deal be ing negotiated by w. L. MacKay, O Kingman.
 Among the many investors ant geologists who have been here dur ing the week, one of the most prom inent is Fred M. Powers, who make his home in Minneapolis but who ha big oil interests in seven differen states of the Union, and in Mexic also. He is president of the Unite' States-Mexico Petroleum Co.,, whic, is said to have the largest acreag of oil lands in Mexico. Through tn North American Petroleum Co.,, o which he is also president, MT. Pow CTS will operate in the Holbroo field. He makes no secret of his en thusiasm over the Holbrook area, bu his plans as to it's development ar not yet matured. That he and hi associates will have a vital part i proving up the Holbrook area is def initely promised.
 J. Toner Barr, an engineer fror Pittsburg who has handled some bi contracts, involving difficult engi neering problems, in record tim'
 spent ten days in going over thi field thoroughly and picked up som
 good prospective oil land. He lei