The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-05
PEOPLES FORUM

tlfy the producing wells from the dry
wells. Also that he has been tried
out near Robinson by cross section
ing many square miles Of territory
where blindfolded or in Il darkened
car, he could always locate the par
ticular field of Townley's lease.
This representation is said to form
part of the basis for soliciting
funds for Townley's well 1t is so
good that only Leaguers may partic-
ipate and at that, the amount to
one individual is limited. Inducing
such asbelief would naturally lead
many to part with their hard-earned
dollars. convinced that an invest
ment in Townley's we'll is sure
gamble in spite OF what other repre-
sensations might be added to the
contrary.
Taking 1t For Granted
Let US take it for granted that
those feats have been performed Just
as related by most creditable wit
nesses. Let US also take it for
granted that A. c. Townley himself is
convinced of their reality and that
even the doodle bug" believes in his
own prowess. But are we, you and /,
to give credence because of their
FEASIBILITY? Is it up to us to ex-
plain the other fellows game, wheth-
er trick or Authorization? Many
card tricks and magic feats are per-
formed by so-called magicians in the
most natural manner that the anna
teur cannot explain. HOudini, the
! celebrated magician, has a standing
reward of $4,000 to any spiritualis-
tic medium for any spiritualistic
manifestation that he cannot dupli-
cate by natural means. Since YOU
and | are not Houdinis we must let
the trick or hallucination pass for
what it is worth. However, it is I'M
fortunate that such worthy enter
prise should be cloakad with an al
legged confidence game.
In connection with this project, in
| so far as it relates TO the n,agician's
art, some pertinent questions might
be asked. Why does that man work
| for A. c. Townley for mere pittance
million dollars year working for
,, some large oil company? Is it suf-
ficient answer to explain that there
are personal and humanitarian rea-
sons? And why did not Townley
"bring in" producing we'll in Kan
sas before coming to North Dakota?
He had been operating there for some
time and it would have made his next
step here so much easier. Is it be-
cause his magician's art failed i'm
Kansas SO that he had to move to
greener pastures in North Dakota
among his former political friends?
And again we might ask, why is
Townley preparing to spend months,
perhaps years, here in North Dakota
when he might first locate all the i'm
portant oil fields on the continent
and obtain the necessary leases with
less expenditure of money than is
necessary to put down this one we'll
at Robinson? If we are in the days
of miracles some other magician
might crop out, or if perchance it
were not an occult process someone
else might discover the invention and
thus steal march on him. To be
consistent--he should either have
made strike" in Kansas before
coming here, or else he should con-
tinue prospecting. OF course the
doodle bugs" part in Townleys
project is ridiculous even though he
himself may not be aware Of it.
I! Prospecting for oil in kidder coun-
ty should be encouraged since the in
dications warrant belief that this
is oil bearing territory. But as yet,
no one knows where, or how deep, or
in what quantities it may be found,
if found at all. With only aver
age probabilities the chances of loss
! are far greater than of gain. Exper-
fence proves that many are willing to
take adverse chances in the hope Of
q big reward. Undoubtedly the
chances Of loss could be lessened if
! all questionable methods in the oil
!, game could be eliminated. And,
above all. it should be borne in mind
) that it is a gamblers game. requiring
: the same caution one would exercise
:! in a poker game--watch the dealer
/ and cut the cards. AS for those who
may be deferred from investing in
| the event Of rich Strike" it may
be said they have not lost what thew
never had. And it Is we'll to remem-
J Der the wise counsel which says that
it is better to be safe than sorry.
e j. c. SHERMAN,
5 Steele, N. D.
e In Scotland it is a popular belief