, 1922-11-02

gas lneTeOI o Cne
that the necessity OF storage for fuel
oil existed upon the Pacific coast and
in our Pacific possessions. The De-
partment, therefore. entered into
contracts for development OF our
Naval reserves upon the Pacific
coast. 1t contracted for the sale of
the royalty oil coming to the navy
under terms whereby adequate fuel
storage facilities would be provided
upon the Pacific coast. in the Ha-
waiian Islands and in the PHILIPPINE
Islands, and oil placed in such stor-
age. The character of such storage
facilities and their place OF construc-
ton has not been made public to this
day. Our national safety makes nee
essary the reticence that has been
employed by the Navy Department in
this matter.
Atlantic Coast Needs
The Navy Department determined
that there existed a like necessity for
construction of storage facilities up
on our atlantic coast as had beer de-
termined upon for the Pacific coast.
Oil must be furnished for the Navy
on the coast line OK sixteen states
where 1t could be utilized in times of
hhAiOlib 'lil' 'h' ~ nav al
not justified in waiting until that
emergency existed and then attempt
ing TO construct storage facilities
and to fill such storage. Our coast
line overs thousands of miles and
construction takes months and years.
Development of oil properties re-
quires years OF time. millions of ex-
penditues. the construction of pipe
line facilities and creation of trained
men whereby the fuel oil could be
properly handled.
An Act Of Congress
President Wilson. Secretary Dan
iels and the Congress OF the United
States recognized The fact that the
Navy Department needed h power
granted to 1t by the act OF June T..
1920. and that the necessity existed
for the development of the Navnl
Reserves. The action taken " y
Navy Department, in conf -.on
with the Department of the Interior.
was directed by specific Act OF Con-
gress by the decision OF naval ex-
perts as to the necessities for ma
tional defense.
h action OF individuals in de-
handing publication of measures
adopted by the Navy Department for
the development and contamination
of these strategic plans. in connection
with Naval Reserve No. 3. in Wyom-
ing. was unprecedented. The con-
tract entered into specifically de-
tailed plans developed by the navy
for national defense. Like informa-
tion had not been demanded in rela-
ton to our plans for defense of the
Pacific coast. nor furnished.
Incidental Benefits
The ipprnaGn fp tho antn nrfrA nS
Wyoming oils. the additional as
sessed valuation OF petroleum prod
ucts in Wyoming. greater funds for
the Reclamation Service. increased
moneys for Wyoming schools and
highways-were. so far as navy de-
Tense plans are concerned. all Incl
dental to the main objects resulting
from the development OF the Teapot
Dome by the navy. II the develop
mont OF the reserve by the navy
could be so handled as to bring ad-
ditional benefits to the people of the
State OF wyoming and OF the United
States. then the duty was undoubted-
~ incumbent upon the Secretaries of
the Navy and OF the Interior to util-
lie every method In their power for
the purpose of obtaining these adj
ditional advantages. Upon the other
hand there Is no question but hat II
these incidental benefits could be OBJ
tained only ut the expense and TO the
detriment OF the purpose OF the navy
In connection with It's plans for tho
national defense. that those addi-
tional advantages would never have
bee received by the people OF the
state and nation.
Fall Entitled to Credit
The burden OF obtaining the re-
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