The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1923-05-11
EXPEDITIONS
CONSTRUCTION
Making n Record Installing the New
Plant OF the Union OH Company
At OrOyille.

the Union Oil company are source OF
prolific publicity, not that 1t is the
Union Oil company that is covering
large square footage of real estate
with buildings, tanks and one thing
and another representing large in
yestment, but because it is the first
extensive improvement that has been
set on foot in Oroville for consider
able period and it is so facinating to
see work progressing on a large scale
that our typewriter fairly shrieks out
for action to carry the news to Mary,
and the balance of the ladies, as well
as Tom, Dick and Harry and the male
contingent.
There is no procrastination about
the work going on on the Union OH
company's lots. That is under the
supervision of C. w. Sutton, a young
gentleman who has accumulated
know ledge Of how to do it. do it right
and to lose no time doing it after half
a dozen years experience in the elm
ploy of this particular company. His
specially is assembling material and
building stations, and he nas the JOB
down as near science as job OF
that character can be brought. he
knows just what is to be done to Sc
cure the best results, and he is on deck
all the time to see that it is done his
way. A visit to the scene of activity,
and few looks as to the way he does
it, will convince any one that this
commentator of Mr.. Sutton's- work
and methods is not overdrawn.
Where a few days ago few strag-
Cling blades of grass scantily covered
block of two of land a short distance
southeast of the depot now looms up
several corrugated iron buildings, fouI
huge cylinder tanks, and finished
6OO-foot spur of railroad track in di-
rect touch with the largest warehouse,
while substantial fence surrounds
the general ensemble of improve
ments. The great tanks loom up ike
/ the pillars of Hercules. or course that
| Is a figure of speech, as we have sllgh'
conception of the appearance Oh tne
pillars of Hercules, but as Hurk was
a Jolly powerful old bird, If depend
ance can be placed upon mythology Il
is natural to suppose If he had any
thing to do with pillars they would bt
some substantial, and that is just wha
tie oil tanks look like as they occupy
a prominent place in the landscape
A long ditch from First street conveys
a water pipe to the lots.
Everything about the construction
of the plant has been carried on eX
peditiously and without accident.
large force of workmen las swarme'
over the premises, but the duties
each have been so laid out that tn
numbers have not interfered with eacl
other. The lifting of the tanks into po
sition was a very interesting proceed
ing. Each of the tanks measured 3
feet in length, ten feet in diamate
and weighed 10 IL tons. A derrlcl
was rigged up, a wire rope attache'
to the upper end, one of Scotts dimin
tive Ford tractors was ATTACHED to tn
other end of the rope and up the
went as easily as a full grown ma
could upend an empty flour barre
While this battery of four tanks ar
all that will be used at present tn
company has an eye to the future,
concrete bases are in position for 81
more tanks when the time comes 10
increasing the storage capacity or IN
plant. And it is not out of place
give the railroad section men cred
for the speed with which tney thre'
a side track into the yard. The trac
is some 600 feet in length but Tn
grade was finished, the iron laid an
spiked down within three or fou
days. True it was an ideal level SUI
face to build over. but some gradin
had to be done, and it is no chiid
play juggling ties and rails.
Mr.. Sutton stated to reporter 'thi
the building of the Oroville plant
the quickest job of construction owe
watch he has ever had supervision.
found conditions here just right II
rapid work, which was greatly assls
ed by the prompt cooperation OF u
citizens. He found the railroad DO!
very accommodating in the placemel
of cars carrying his material as ii
unloading was done only few hul
dred feet from where it was TO
used. Usually he found 1t necessal
to do considerable red tape unwlndli
to secure water, which is absolute
necessary at the very start In oru
to finish the concrete work, put |.
Oroville authorities gave him perm
sion to hook on to the main at on
and lay a temporary service pipe
top of the ground. Then heretofo
he has often been held up owing
slowness in the delivery of speci
measurement of lumber required
construction. Here he presented L
wants to Manager Phillips, OF l
Woodbury. Lumber company, ana q
livery upon the ground commenc
instantly. He nas not been held
an hour on account of shortage OF III
terial. Then again Mr.. Sutton
both kind and generous in giving e.
ployment to all who applied. EV
school boys were given chance
work on the job, and labor is the 'cri
of any undertaking where the nan
Of men are required to carry out pla
and specifications. Mr.. Sutton Is no