, 1921-12-08


z in response to inquiries made
ate, and others being directed
mainly TO the treatment which is be
ing accorded the state OF Wyoming
and Its people by the Midwest Rein.
ing company and allied interests, 10
he actual existing conditions in the
oil industry and to tho rights which
exist IN favor OF the state M its PEG.
pie.
on November .. 1921. while the
writer was at Washington. a meeting
Of the Independent ~bil producers OF
Wyoming was held at Casper. This
meeting was attended by representa-
tives OF practically all independent pro-
ducers operating in Wyoming. After
a full discussion of the many phases
Of the oil industry. the decision was
reached that Il was necessary that an
association OF the independent pro
ducers OF Wyoming should he formed
for the purpose OF remedying existing
evils. and that the following men
should be requested TO constitute the
beard Of directors OF the proposed as
ISOLATION. to wit:
Patrick Sullivan, Frank c.. Curtis.
W. /. McLaine. r. C. Taylor, George
q. NcClelland. T. p. Algeo. c. b,
Richardson. Martin McGrath, Leslie
Miller. II. d. Curtis. W. j. Lindsay. L.
A.. J. Philippe. j. f. Higgins. Charles
sherman, c. a. Guenther, 3. b.
Brooks. George L. Brimmer.
Arrangements were made at the
meeting of November 0 whereby Elk
Governor b. b. Brooks was appointed
president pro tenn OF the association,
and instructions were given for the
preparation of the articles of associa-
lion and bylaws and submission OF
the same to the board OF directors.
The articles OF association and by
laws were prepared. Ex-Governor
Brooks issued the call for tho meeting
Of directors to be held at Casper on
November 20. At the meeting Or the
directors on November 20, the articles
of association and bylaws were pre-
and adopted. The meeting was
continued to November 80. and n full
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 MIR. Funk of
tho Carter OIL company, the proposed
name of the association was changed
Wyoming Independent Oil asso-
to Rocky Mountain OIL and Gas
association; there is no question but
that the articles OF association adopted
were sufficiently broad TO allow all
persons interested in the oil and gas
business in the Rocky Mountain re-
rrfr,, .-lnthnr ,O@.n1so1 x~f4A NNAa~n-
dent companies or with so-called Stan
dard companies. TO become members of
the association; there is no question
but that it is possible for so-called
Standard companies to eventually OBJ
ain control of the association.
There is no question but that 1t
would be TO the advantage of the Mid
west Refining company and its allied
Interests to have IN association formed
in which 1t had either a material or
controlling interest. prior to the meet
ing Of the next wyoming legislature,
that the Influence of that ~associa-
tion and indirectly the Influence of
the Midwest Refining company, would
be felt in the formation of new legis-
Tho expressed intent of a majority
of the directors present at the meeting
OF November 20 in deciding upon the
name of the association and the limi-
tation or lack of Limitation upon men,
bership, was to demonstrate absolutely
that the Independent operators Of
Wyoming were DESTROYS OF co-operat-
Ing to the largest possible extent with
the SPECIALIZED Standard interests. for
the purpose of placing the oil indus
try in the state OF wyoming upon a
fair basis. Such directors OF the asso-
citation believed that for the purpose
of demonstrating fairness. it was nee
essary to allow representatives of the
so-called Standard interests to Join
tho association. They believed that by
cooperation of the Independent pro-
ducers. It would be an impcssibility 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
80. It would most certainly appear
that the directors intended 10 take all
action necessary for the purpose of in
surfing payment of fair prices for
crude petroleum in Wyoming.
Personally. the writer is inclined to
believe hat it would have been better
for the oil industry IN Wyoming IL
tho restriction upon membership. in
favor of independent producers, had
been more rigidly drawn. He fears
discord In the membership. Dissension
would result in Generalization of the
association and defeat Of its objec-
tives. It is difficult to accept member
ship fees or financial assistance from
a corporation for the purpose of assist
ing an association to compel tina corps
grafton to do that which It has re-
fused to do yoluntarily-and at . the
same time proceed energetlcally
against The contributing corporation
for the purpose Of compelling 1t to
deal fairly with the state. its citizens
and Independent producers OF crude
oil.
Upon the other hand. the directors
OF tho new association were elected
AT a rnaaffnC ne The 4,da.a-S- ~