The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1929-03-21

ment cohtrolS, except VnoSe WHICH are
mandatory by Congress. In other
words, there will be complete conser-
walton of government oil in this adj
ministration.
Believing that the scope of the
Presidents newly announced oil con-
servation policy was broader than in
Dictated in his bare statement to the
press representatives the Index wired
Washington attorney who was for
merly legal counsel for one of the
major oil companies operating in the
Rocky Mountain region, and who
now specializes in land cases before
the Department of the Interior, ask
ing for his Interpretation of the new
ruling. His reply follows:
Washington, D. c., March 13.-No
more extensions of time allowed in
the future to permittees unless de-
velopment work has been started and
considerable expenditure made.
(Signed) James C. Crawford"
Undoubtedly Mr.. Crawford S
speaking authoritatively on informa-
ton received direct from the Depart
ment of the Interior. His words leave
no doubt as to the policy of the gov
eminent and his Interpretation of the
Presidents statement is confirmed by
the following Associated Press dis
patch sent from Washington under
date of March Is:
Carrying out the government S
new oil conservation policy, Secretary
Wilbur today directed all local land
offices to receive no more applica-
tons for permits to prospect for oil
and gas on public lands, and to reject
all pending applications.
The Presidents pronouncement
came as distinct surprise in oil cir
Giles of the Rocky Mountain region
and to many individuals it was a
painful shock. As live topic of dis
cussion it has superseded the two or
three feet of snow now covering most
of the permits in the mountain states.
One operator, who has been particu-
larly active in securing permits, hay
ing them geologized, and getting out
side companies to drill them, said,
''If the Presidents announced policy
prevails, oil and gas permittees will
be in a similar position as the bar
tenders were when prohibition went
into effect
Former Governor B. B. Brooks,
president of the Rocky Mountain Oil
& Gas Association, is not in SYM
pathy with the ruling and is ready to
| call meeting of the association, pro-
yiding that it is the wish of any con-
siderable number of the members.
His belief is that a full and free dis
cussion of the ruling can do no harm.
Governor Brooks associate in the
Consolidated Royalty and Western
Exploration companies, C. B. Richard
son, would like to have further infor-
nation on the subject before offering
any criticisms. He is inclined to be-
lieve that the President has in mind
a broad, general plan, taking in the
entire industry, in all sections of the
country, in a nationwide drive for
the conservation of oil. If his sur
mise is true, he is confident that ii
will prove beneficial to the public and
the industry itself. On the other
hand, if it is merely a shutdown in
the Rocky Mountain region, and not
to affect other sections of the coun.
try, he is not in sympathy with the
movement.
|; G. R. Hagens, one of Casper's lead
) ing lawyers, sees in the new ruling
! continuance of the government
past policy in preserving the public
; domain to the detriment of the pub
; lie land states,
R. S. Nichols, another outstanding
Casper attorney, who has specialized
in public land work, sees in the new
, ruling blow at initiative effort anc
! hardship on men and companies
with limited capital.
Many others see in this new move
: ment for bureaucratic control JUST
! fication of Ex- Congressman Winters
demand for state control of all lands
, within the boundaries of each state
: instead of federal nd-lordism.
Senator Walsh of Montana, the
scorpion of Teapot Dome, whose state
| is just beginning to get into its OF
stride, is quoted as having said:
ut would seem as tho a policy
of this consequence ought to be de
clared by Congress, rather than by
the executive. The supreme court has
: held that the president may with