Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1921-03-17
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
OF OIL PLANNED
Am M. A. RARTLETT.l

| a.
1t win bs interesting to the read
ers of this paper to know that by
the time this article is printed, defi-
mite plans for the development of our
local oil and gas resources will be
made in both Payette and Ontario,
and that similar action will probably
be taken at Weiser.
1t is not my purpose at this time
to explain the details OF how this is
to be done, as that would be infring-
ing on the authority of others, but
| wish to review some of the pre-
liminary and foundation work which
has been done here during the last
year and half, and to show what
effect an active oil development will
have upon the financial and COM
mercial condition of this district.
In previous articles l have pointed
out the reasons why past efforts to-
strike oil in this district were failures
and emphasized the Importance of
preliminary geological surveys for
the search of "Oil Domes" and the
selection of drill sites.
Careful Work Done
Local oil companies organized by
the leading business men and bank
ers of both Payette and Ontario last
year and plans have been carefully
made and followed to see that what
ever drilling is to be done this spring
will thoroughly test this field and
prove either to be a tremendous sue
cess or forever demonstrate the flu
tility of further search for oil and
gas. To state the situation frankly
we have almost certainty of de-
veloping commercial gas with a
chance of getting oil A United States |
Geological report will soon be made |
public dealing on this subject.
During the last year the leading |
business men and bankers of both |
Payette and Ontario have been Civ
ing the oil situation most careful |
examination and consideration. They |
wanted to see this great wealth-pro-
ducing commodity developed here if |
possible, or if it was not possible, to
turn our brains and money into other
lines of industry. They have private
Iy advanced thousands of dollars to
bring into this district the most ex-
eerienced oil biologists and practical
oil men to find out whether further
oil tests were advisable.
1t is fair to state that the reports
If these men were most gratifying
o those who want to see oil and gas
developed here. Among those who
lave examined our oil and gas posi-
,ilities may be mentioned L. Suppyl
If Texas, r. N. Bell, State Mine In
pector of Idaho, r. M. Robinson of
tulsa, Oklahoma, Messrs. Murray and
Toward of Oklahoma, Chester Wash
'ourne of U. S. G. Survey, Mr.. Kirk
lam of the Idaho Bureau of Mines
Geology, and J. P. Buwalda, of ,
he .. S. Geological Survey. More
biologists may be employed before
rilling is started 6
Any number of gas wells have been
xamined and their life and pressure
alculated. Oil seeps have been found
various places, and samples of !
his oil sent away for chemical anal 2
sis. This district has been carefully {
xamined to determine the most '
avorable places for drilling. And r
ur most conservative business men =
elieve that our prospects for oil and
as are favorable enough to demand 6
thorough and immediate test. f
"A BIG BOOST
VI inns WI n HOW DclHR DldH- n
ed would alone be a big boost for i,
lis district. 1t would bring in new b
nd buyers and other drilling oper-
ions and would advertise the other a
sources of this district far and S
ide. U
In the event of bringing in com Il
ercial gas or oil this district would e,
per1ence one of the most financial il
Id commercial booms that the mind W
n imagine. New towns would il
ring up overnight in places that
e now sage-brush wastes; ouri "a
lall towns would grow into citiee al
year or two; land values would "
sky high; crops and commercial BIZ
lues would soar upward; both com
On and skilled labor would be in h;
Instant command; and those who al
re fortunate enough to be connect
with the oil movement as land
ners or investors would grow dizzy is