Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-21

to the methods OF men with Interior
purposes to serve in their relation to
the great national parties and their
campaign funds.
Third, there has been awakened the
conscience OF the oil industry itself,
which has taken some splendid steps In
more recent months In cleansing itself
OF such agents and leaders as Stewart.
Fourth, there has been restored to
the Government reserves and resources
valued most conservatiyely at about
$50 COG, 900.
Fifth. there has been q direct none
tary return to the Government through
recovery Ofsprofits taken from the pub
tic domain BY fraudulent practices. The
courts now have the case calling for
recovery Of the gains taken from Salt
Creek under fraudulent contracts. The
Stewart Sinclair : Blackmer- o 'Neill-en-
gineered Continental Trading Co. wing
Of the inquiry has brought into the
Treasury OF the United States In the
form Of taxes in excess of two million
dollars. The recovery from the naval
reserve actions amounted to more than
81, 100000
Were these accomplishments worth
while? How much of the public money
has 1t cost to conduct the investigation?
In round numbers, $4,000, which COW
ers q period extending over six years
Stewart and Sinclair themselves would
call that pretty good investment after
reviewing the returns. Certainly the
money spent for the investigations can
not be said to have been wholly squan-
dered! The ledger would seem to show
the Government far ahead as result
Of the Investigations, out OF which
4 haPa iQ hound tn ldoicIoffnFN uyfaf0H
will make 1t less easy to acquire these
oil lands from the Government and re-
peat In other fields what has been prac-
ticed, for example, ia Salt Greek The
fact Is that 1t Is much tnors difficult
for man to file upon and fulfill the
requirements 10 win title to home
stead in this country than 1t Is for the
Oil pirates to acquire rights upon the
public domain to prospect for and de-
VelOp Oil properties and profits.
In addition. the Investigations point
to the need Of more attention to bust
ness by the Government and closer
guarding Of its interests and resources.
They indicate also the need for a thor
ough shake-up in the Interior Depart
ment and the institution of a. great
resources in oil, lest they be depleted at
q time when their worth Is far less than
they are bound to be in days of greater
need.
It has been a great source of pleasure
and encouragement to observe the early
steps taken by President Hoover to
ward against further oil scandals to
effect q cleaning Of the Interior De-
partment. to carry on against those
who have defrauded the Government
In connection with these matters and
TO institute that necessary program of
Drastic, indeed, was his
action canceling thousands of applica-
tons for prospecting permits, yet the
was one calling for drastic
action. He has tied a tight knot, bind
ing that bag which holds this great
resource belonging to all the people
There may be need for some little
loosening of that knot which the
President has tied. lest the result be
one penalizing the consuming public
and rewarding the very corporations
which have been exploiting the public
domain. IT'S far better to have to
loosen the knott than it would be to
have nothing left to guard by tying a
knot. =.
1t is evident that the public domain
Is In line for something new in the
way OF administration. 1t can stand 1t
and personally rejoice in this prospect.