The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-16
ASKS STATE FUND PAY BONUS SOON
Wiley Cook, of Winfield, Wants
. to Develop on Field.
Says State Property = Located
in Proven Field.

Wiley Cook, superintendent OF the
Winfield state hospital, is certain his
institution is sitting on top of a gulf
of black gold and many years supply
of free fuel. But the state of Kansas
has for nearly four years refused to
spend a thin dime to tap the flow of
oil and gas. = Nor will it enter into a
lease with independent producing
companies which want to drill on the
land.
In Topeka attending the state let
ting this week, Cook renewed his nu-
merouS appeals for little state mon
ey with which to sink an oil and gas
well. Pract. .ca.ly surrounded by a
proven field. the state land near Win
field has been untouched. Now that
the state board of administration and
Governor Allen have failed to direct
ture will be asked-to provide spe-
cial drilling fund. Wells, however,
might be sunk without legislative ac-
tion-if the state would take rather
certain gambling chance.
State Owns Tract of 400 Acres.
The state owns 400 acre tract of
land on which the Winfield institution
is located. The soil is of little value
for agricultural purposes Yet geolo-
gists have declared the soil is the
most promising for oil and gas pro-
duction in Cowley county.
1T costs us $4,000 a month for fuel
and transportation of fuel" said
Cook, who was formerly assistant
state treasurer. For less than the
cost of months fuel supply we
could sink a well to the depthfof 500
feet with practical assurances of gas.
One or two wells would give us all the
fuel we would need for a good many
years.
"I don't believe there is an element
of doubt as to our being on top of a
big supply OF gas and OIL" continued
Cook. 'It would cost more money to
put down an oil well than q gas well.
But a few wells such as have been
found on adjoining lands would bring
in enough revenue to pay all the ex-
penSeS of the institution and proba-
bly, turn a surplus into the state treas
ury."
1t is reported that the drilling of
a few wells on the site of the Win
field hospital was one of the ques-
tons which entered into the legisla-
contributed to defeat of Judge James
a. McDermott for reelection. Two
years ago Senator Dick Howard Sc
cured senate passage of a bill appro-
priating $1,000 for drilling couple
of shallow wells. It seems that the
bill was messaged to the house and
in Cowley county it was claimed that
it was strang.ed in a committee of
which Judge McDermott was chair
man.
Biologists Examine Field.
''The best geologists who have been
in the field have told me that our
land is the most promising for oil
and gas production" said Cook. at
seems to me it would be good business
to take a small gambling chance at
least-partfcu.arly in view of the
proven field adjoining our land.
hope the legislature will bet month s
coal bill on the prospects. If we hit
it. we are sitting on the moon"
DIR. L. p. Ravenscroft, who succeeds
Judge McDermott in the house. is ex-
pected to introduce bill providing
for sinking of few test wells. 1t is
reported that Winfield business men
state land in order to establish the
state land in ordre to establish the
full extent of the Cowley county oil
and gas field.