, 1922-07-06
OIL BUSINESS
MUCH DESIRED
INFORMAL MEETING OF BUSINESS MEN
CALLED TO FOSTER IMPROVED
TRADE RELATIONS

"A meeting OIL more tHdH ordinary
potential Importance to the business
interests Of Rawlins gathered at the
city hall Friday afternoon, i'm
mediately following the special ses-
sion Of the board OF trustees, which
was not only strictly impromptu. but
attended by a representative OF
the city.
The meeting had been hurriedly
called and no public notice had been
possible. Notwithstanding which the
trustees chamber was we'll filled and
keen interest manifested in the pro-
ceedings. Briefly stated the object
of the meeting of business and pro-
fessional men vas to discuss ways
and means of bringing about a bet
ter local understanding with the
various oil companies operating in
the Rawlins oil fields and to cement
closer business and trade relations
with this industry which is II of
the most important in the state as
we'll as in. this section.
The meeting was strictly informal
and represented no particular civic
or other organization, but Mayor Kell
called upon Fred W. Rendle to pro-
side over the deliberations of the
business The object of those
responsible for calling the meeting
was laid before the assembled bust
ness men in a few words and then
a round-table discussion was taken
up in which nearly every mai pres
ent tool part. 1t was a boost for
Rawlins" affairs from first to last.
According to the expressions heard
the impression has become quite gen
eral and appears to be fairly we'll
founded that the oil operators in the
fields adjacent to Rawlins are not
making their purchases of machin-
cry and supplies of all kinds in this
city as generally as could be wished.
Notwithstanding our unsurpassed
railroad facilities and the advant-
age of being nearer to the scene of
operations. The object OF the
meeting was to find the cause, if such
exists, and to suggest a remedy If
possible.
The discussion on this point Gov
cred a wide range and the inter-
change of business and booster ideas
was interesting in the extreme. 1t
was brought out that II Rawlins is
to compete with other commercial
centers for the profitable trade of
the oil men we must give equal or
better service, which will include
the enlargement Of the stocks nov
carried by merchants in many lines.
On the other hand 1t was made clear
that in many items. Rawlins' prices
were considerably lower than those
at competitive points, groceries and
garage charges being two specifica-
lions given to emphasize this point.
Out of all the discussion there
we're several outstanding suggestions
made which seemed to meet with
unanimous approval as a means to
finally securing the undivided bust
ness patronage of the oil concerns
which are doing business in the
Rawlins fields.
L. E. Armstrong. who is attorney
for some of the leading oil companies
operating in the Rawlins fields, made
a short talk on the subject in which
he offered several pertinent sug-
gestions which were well received
and one Of which will probably be
the basis of future action on the
part of the Board Of Trade at a time
in the near future. 1t is thought by
many that Mr.. Armstrong offered a
solution OF the question which
brought about the meeting.
Geo. A.. Bible brought out the idea
that we of Rawlins must ask for
this business and keep asking. bear
ing In mind that the mere fact Of
showing an anxiety to get the bust
ness is an important factor, added to
which must be the promise of con-
tinued cooperation. Rawlins mer-
chants must find out what the oil
men want and then get 1t for them,
when they want 1t and in quantities
to suit the needs Of the trade. The
speaker also referred to the condi-
ton of the roads which he claimed
should have been improved by the
State Highway commission.
d. C. Kinneman offered a sug-
Eestion, which was indorsed by N.
r. Greenfield, who had several a
previously had the same idea about
worked out, which was the establish
ment Of an oil-well machine shop,
|1y4D equipped with the heavy ma
|ehfnes necessary for making the Diff
ficult repairs necessary to drilling
machinery. Mr.. Greenfield said that
such an outfit. although expensive,
would be the means Of divertinR oil
business to Rawlins and that 1t could
be formed as a stock company. in
which the oil corporations them
selves would be glad to become
shareholders. in order to effect a
great saving Of time when the
necessity of such q repair shop was
urgent.
Others who addressed the meeting
along the same general lines. with
individual variations, were Trustee
H. Larsen. J. C. Martinez. H. E. Dun
lap, r. w. Rendle and A. j. Roster.
Others present were Mayor e. A.
|Kell. Trustee H. Perrett, L. I. Me-
thudv. NJ. G. Finlay. E. A. Kell, Jr.,
&c. H. Hilliard and C.. A. Brimmer.