The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-06-28
MORE ABOUT WEST
TRIP FOR CONGRESS
Editor The Silver State:


with considerable interest your edi-
torial in The Silver State of June 16.
which deals with a commendable pur-
pose-that of advertising the West
and particularly Nevada-in the first
place, and which seems incidentally
to be directed toward one Hale, of
Elko.
Several years ago | became aware
of the almost incredible prolnptitude
with which certain citizens of Elko
disposed of questions of national I'm
portance. So was not so much sur
prised to read that Editor Hale had
settled the matter of the proposed
Congressional trip to the West by the
inference that your correspondent had
experienced "brainstorm"
E. S. Blaine, of the Seattle Chamber
| of Commerce, of the Committee on
| irrigation and Education, and of the
| Western Reclamation Service, re-
mains in Washington and continues
% work on the proposed trip of Con-
gressmen, which idea appears to be
| gaining in momentum, so | am in po-
| sition to pass the brainstorm buck to
| Blaine.
| Some time ago an article from The
| Silver State was quoted in Mr.. Hale's
newspaper under the caption Some
body Is Lynn" The article, or para
graph, rather, contained the state
ment that shale oil had not been re-
| fined successfully. but that Catlins
superintendent, at Elko, had given
out a statement that successful re-
duction process had been at last per-
fected for the production of crude oil
| rom shale.
Becoming curious as to the Elko
editors idea of who might be "lyin',"
wrote and asked him about it.
had quoted DR.. Bonner of the Uni
versity of Utah as my authority for
the statement that shale oil had not
been successfully refined. The an
swer received from the Elko editor
was a brief statement that "Dr. Bon
ner is about three years behind the
times in oil shale matters"
DR.. Bonner is chemist of the Bur-
eau of Mines. Not only a chemist
but a boss chemist of that somewhat
extensive institution. His title Is
Chemist in charge of laboratory
work" He is head of the depart
ment of chemistry of the University OF
Utah. Yet see with sang-froid his
utterances regarding his specially are
disposed of when they reach Elko.
Your correspondent was perplexed
to know what manner of senile de-
bility might have attacked that
worthy scientist. DR.. Bonner, to have
caused him to drop three years into
the rear of the scientific procession.
So the entire matter was taken up
with the Bureau of Mines here, and
not only was the statement of your
correspondent affirmed, but the fact
was brought out that John Catlin him
self, the owner Of the Elko shale
plant. denied that even a successful
solution of the reduction process had
been arrived at.
In other words, even the produc-
ton of crude oil from shale is yet
problem which, until solved, will
render futile any ill-timed expert
mentation on refining. If the Elko
editor has sufficient sense of humor
he may see the joke is on him. DR..
Bonner is still doing business at the
University of Utah. Nobody doubts
the ultimate solution of shale-oil
problems. but Hale's method is too
abrupt. This for his nepenthe.
And since you mentioned politics
and Pittman in connection with this
prodigy of provincialism. will prom
come along in due time. 1t is all very
interesting and is supposed to be a
pipe"
I was never more surprised than
when, eleven months ago on my re-
turn from the East, | stopped off at
Elko and was informed before break
fast that everything in national poll
tics was settled. Henderson would
be reelected Senator from Nevada,
and betting the night before had
been three to one that Cox would
carry Ohio by 100000. Here were
some men in the middle of the Great
American Desert whom I could not
talk to. The best | could get was
"Haw-haw" when l suggested the
possibility Of Republicans having a
chance.
Upon invitation of the editor of the
Elko Free Press l gave an interview
regarding what knew of the political