The New York herald., 1921-11-30
AMERICANS CAPTURE
OIL LAND CONTROL
Dramatic Stroke Blocks
British Ambition in, Cali
fornia Field.
PURCHASE ANNOUNCED
Standard Oil of California
Buys Interest in Pacific
Company.

A matter of fact statement from, K
r. Kingsb nry, president OF the stand
ara OH Company of California, that
this American concern has ACQUIRED
substantial interest in the Pacific
OIL Company. which has large hold
ings GG oil lands in the Golden State
reveels to oil men who know how to
reaA between the lines the complete
Success of a further dramatic stroke
TO maintain American control over
American oil.
Ihe announcement that the Stand
ard Oil Company Of California is now
interested as a stockholder in the
largely producing Pacific Oil Com
pany means that British effort to Sc
cure oil control the world over. from
Mesopotamia to Montana, has met
with a distinct setback in the rich
California field. Persons aware of the
thrilling struggle that IS going on for
domination Of the worlds oil supply
may receive the news announced by
Mr.. kingsD Dury with the interest they
might extend to the news Of a great
military victory in war time.
Story Of Long Rivalry.
The statement Is as follows "K. r.
Kin nSsbury, president Of the Standard
OIL Company OF California, who is at
present in New York city, stated yes
terday that some months ago his COM
pany had acquired minority interest
In the Pacific OIL Company. Mr.. Kings
bury said that for many years part of
the oil from the lands that were trans
ferred to the Pacific Oil Company on
its formation had been delivered to the
Standard Oil Company OF California for
use in Its refineries, and this fact.
coupled with the desirability of strength
ening the American ownership of Pacific
OH, had led the Standard Oil Company
Of California to purchase the interest
referred to-"
In this terse and almost colorless re-
view of what was apparently a simple
business transaction lies hidden the
story Of American and British oil rivalry
and Of the success OF a patriotic effort
to keep American oil in American
hands. It Is tale of the great forces
that often move silently under the SUPER
ficially placid current of ordinary busi-
ness.
The Southern Pacific Railroad for
merly had large tracts OF oil producing
lands In California The oil produced
was too valuable to be consumed as fuel
oil and so found its way to the re-
fineries. A year ago the railroad d.
vorced itself from the oil business. 1t
formed the Pacific OIL Company and 1t
gave its holders Of railroad stock first
opportunities to acquire. at SIS share,
the stock Of the new oil company. With
large plants in the San Joaquin Valley
the Pacific Oil Company became heavy
producer. and as such presented itself
most attractively to the intelligent and
acquisitive British owners of the Royal
Dutch interests, or the "Shell Company"
as these interests are known in the
United States.
British Interests Active.
British oil policy, alert the world over
to secure new and productive oil fields
under the Union Jack. Immediately di-
rectcd itself toward getting control OF
this important California producer. For
tunately, the intent of the Royal Dutch
interests came to the knowledge 81 the
Standard Oil Company of California.
The officials Of this concern, realizing
instantly the gravity OF the situation.
opened negotiations with the owners of
.he Pacific Oil Company. These stock
holders, Americans all, were earnestly
concerned that California oil control
should not get into British hands. They
closed with the Standard OIL offers for
minority interest at once. and the door
was slammed shut In the face of the
Royal Dutch people.
The Importance Of this dramatic epi-
side in the oil world may be realized