, 1921-12-08

remedytng existing evils, and that
the following men should be re-
quested to constitute the board OF
directors of the proposed association,
to-wit:
Patrick Sullivan, Frank G. Curtis,
W. L.. McLaine, R. G. Taylor, Geo.
3. McClelland, T. F. Algeo, c. B
Richardson, Martin McGrath, Leslie
Miller, H. D.. Curtis, w. J. Lindsay
l.. A. J.. Philippe, j. e. Higgins,
Charles Sherman, C. A. Guenther, B.
B. Brooks, Geo. E. Brimmer.
Arrangements were made at the
meeting OF November 9Th whereby
Ex-Governor B.. B. Brooks was ap-
pointed as President pro TEN of the
association. and instructions were
given for the preparation Of the
articles Of association and bylaws
and submission of the same to the
board Of directors. The articles OF
association and bylaws we're pre-
pared. Ex-Governor Brooks issued
the call for the meeting Of directors
to be held at Casper on November
2stht. At the meeting Of the d.
rectors on November 29th, the
articles of association and bylaws
were presented and adopted. The
meeting vas continued to November
3Oth, and a full discussion of existing
conditions and Of the plans for future
work was had.
There is no question but that, at
the suggestion of Mr.. Hurley of the
Ohio Oil Company and Mr.. Funk OF
the Carter Oil Company, the proposed
name Of the association was changed
from Wyoming Independent Oil
Association to Rocky Mountain OIL
and Gas Association: there is NO
question but that the articles of asso-
citation adopted were sufficiently
broad to allow all persons interested
in the oil and gas business in the
Rocky Mountain region, whether con-
nected with Independent companies
or with so-called Standard companies,
to become members of the associa-
ton: there il no question but that
1t Is possible for so-called Standard
companies to eventually obtain con-
troll of the association.
There Is no question but that It
would be to the advantage OF The
Midwest Refining Company and its
allied interests to have an association
formed in which It had either a
material or controlling interest prior
to the meeting Of The next Wyoming
Legislature. so that the influence OF
that association and indirectly the
influence of The Midwest Refining
Company. would be felt in the for
nation OF new Legislation.
The expressed intent of a majority
of the directors present at the meet
ing Of November 29th, in deciding
upon the name Of the association and
the limitation, or lack of limitation,
upon membership, was to demon
strate absolutely that the independ-
emit operators OF Wyoming were de-
sirous of cooperating to the largest
possible extent with the so-called
Standard interests, for the purpose of
placing the oil industry in the State
OF Wyoming upon q fair basis. Such
directors of the association believed
that for the purpose of demonstrat-
ing fairness, 1t was necessary to al
low representatives of the so-called
Standard interests to Join the asso-
ciation. They believed that by CO.
operation OF the independent pro-
ducers, 1t would be an impossibility
for the ~so-called Standard interests,
through membership in the associa-
ton, to prejudice the interests of the
independents. They seek to modify
the policies of The Midwest Refining
Company from within an alliance.
Their attitude may be correct.
From the discussion which took
place at the meeting of the directors
Of the new association ON November
30th, 1t would most certainly APP
pear that the directors intended to
knLA Ill ~ntt1N ~AAAAaAWvy Rrw thA n,Sr-
pose of insuring payment Of fair
prices for crude petroleum in Wyo-
ming.
Personally the writer is inclined
to believe that It would have been
better for the oil industry in Wyo-
ming II the restriction upon member
ship, in favor Of independent pro-
,ducers. had been more rigidly drawn.
He fears discord in the membership.
Disssnsion would result in democrat
ixation Of the association and defeat
Of It's detectives. It Is difficult to
accept membership fees or financial
assistance from . corporation for the
purpose of assisting an association to
compel the corporation to do
that which 1t has refused to do vol
untarily-and at the same time pro-
proceed energstlcally against the
contributing corporation for the pur-
pose of compelling It to deal fairly
with the State, its citizens and indie
pendent producers of crude oil.
1t may safely be assumed that NO
corporation. whether known "a
Independent" or a. Standard,
would contribute one cent for men,
bership fees IN or for the expense OF
the Association, unless the contrib
uting corporation expected to receive
valne for fts expenditure. Tho return
expected might mot be money-t
might not be favorable legislation;
II might BIO fair legislation-it
might Be the prevention of drastic
legislation. The point u. that the
return expected by the independent
producer must differ from that ex'
pectsd by the Midwest Refining Com.
pany and it, allied interests.