The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-31

ton from stock tanks TO earthen
dykes and burn &C. There was prac-
tically no market for the product
but those who were pioneering the
industry had the foresight 70 recoE-
nize the possibilities for the future.
They sustained losses in all direc-
tions in order 20 retain their gas
contracts which were later to prove
Of great value.
During this time some Of them
were building new plants while they
were burning the production OF the
plants they had in operation.
From the condition above recited
the pendulum swung TO a period OF
active demand and tho product was
readily sold from that time to 1920
ot prices which we'll repaid those
who has suffered these losses.
Exit Inferior Blends.
From 1912 to 1919 practically oil
the natural gasoline manufactured in
the Mid-Continent field was blended
with low-grade distillates. gas, oil
and fuel OIL and found a ready mar
ket among large buyers.
During the years 1913, 1919 and
1920, on account OF the high whole
aa le gasoline prices T. o. b. refinery,
and relatively low tank wagon mar
kets, many jobbers throughout the
country attempted TO market Zero
sene blend. This blend was manu-
faCtured at less cost than straight
run gasoline. and consequently sold
to them at prices enabling to net
moro profit than could be realized
from handling better grades As
might have been expected this blend
ed product did not prove satisfactory
as a motor fuel and, in the summer
OF 1920. II grew into such disfayoT
that its Manufacture was stopped.
with the passing of kerosene
naphtha blend--a combination Of
natural gasoline and naphtha-came
into greater prominence as motor
fuel. As the market for naphtha
blend was enlarged, manufacturer
with no experience in making that
sort OF blend. entered the market
and In a short while naphtha blend
grew into general disfavor on aC-
count of the inferior quality OF some
OF IL. This inferior quality was in
SOME cases dine TO the inexperienCc
of of the manufacturer and In other
cnses due to tho inforiortty of the
nnphtha as we'll as the highly VIOLA
tile natural gasoline used.
Up to this tims tho refnSr using
unblended natural gasoline in his
operations was the exception. Many
OF them, from one cause or another
we're bitterly opposed to the product
The refiner who did use II met with
many obstacles in the sale OF his
product on account OF tho propa-
ganda circulated by those who con-
sidered II detrimental TO motor fuel
dangerous to handle, etc. Their dis
like for the product was In many
cases justified as there was no stand
ard of quality or uniformity In the
products sold by different gasoline
manufacturers. With n few eIcep-
tions Il was OF such high gravity and
80 volatile that the refiners facilities
did not enable them to handle IT
profttaply or even properly.
Coincident with this growing
tendency to discontinue the general
depression in the oil business, in ract,
in all lines of business This natural
gasoline industry had at no time in
the past been on a sound substantial
foundation and consequently was in
no position to receive the shock,
True. many companies had realized
handsome returns on their invest
rntntA in fact. the returns had been
60 great THAI manufacturing costs
had not beon kept within due bounds.
Prior to this time almost ell of the
early gas contracts had expired and
been renewed on basis OF which.
when added TO the high operating
costs, left no profit to the manu-
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