Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-14

Public opinion, which at first was
very critical of the actions of Gov.
Alfalfa Bill Murrays use of military
force in his efforts to maintain the
price of oil, has become more friendly.
1t is recognized that he is acting under
the State conservation provisions and
it is held that similar provisions in
other States, especially Texas, would
produce good results. The military
phase Of the situation Is a subject for
some criticism on the part of the
public.
The Interior Department of the
Government, in statement by Acting
Secretary Dixon according to the
Fort Worth Star Telegram, places the
where it belongs He says Texas IS
responsible for it. It hurts to have
Texas thus indicted, but it is difficult
to deny the truth" The Star-Telegram
concludes: Whatever proves to be the
content Of merit within the spectacular
gestures of Gov. Murray, they will be
weighed by the public as action"
With a barrel of crude petroleum
selling for only half the price of a
quart bottle of mineral water in a city
drug store" says the Cincinnati Times
Star. there was point in the law
passed by the Oklahoma Legislature
closing the oil fields there until the
price mounts to a dollar q barrel
With the Federal Oil Conservation
Board urging Oklahoma, Texas and
California to prorate their production,
and with at least one Federal court
sustaining the constitutionality OF the
Oklahoma measure, there is warrant
enough for the action of Gov. Murray
~, ! tva41 aEy
troops to do So"
"There will be no disposition on the
part of the oil companies" thinks the
Oklahoma City Times. Ito operate in
defiance of a conservation law that has
the approval of the Federal Court, and
there is both economy and common
sense in sending the soldiers back to
civil life with as little delay as posi-
BILE. Oklahoma Is an American State
and wants no Cossack rule. It would
have been better for all concerned #
Gov. Murray had exhausted all civil
processes before invoking martial law.
He did not, but. in fairness to himself
and the State he Is sworn to serve, he
should end military rule with mini
mum of delay. Oklahoma probably will
profit, in the long run, by this suspsn-
sion OF oil production in all the prorated
pools. There would be greater GER
tainty of this If this State could be
Joined by Texas
Recognizing that "our old friend, Al
falfa Bill, is q statesman Who prefers
deeds to words" the st. Louis Times
adds: I'VE may not always agree with
histmethod, but there can be no doubt
of his courage While expert
ence in cotton and wheat shows that
prices are not TO be fixed artif1cially,
The effect of the Murray attitude may
have a different result because of its
spectacularity." The Charleston Is. CD
Evening Post suggests: However, trreg-
ular and unsportsmanlike 1t seems, II
Alfalfa Bill can put up the price of oil
to a point Of profit by the Judicious use
of bayonets, he has a future. He and
his National Guard may be prepared to
accept engagements from other pro-
ducers."
Pointing to what it views as seri-
Gus difficulty In the situation, the Linz
coin State Journal remarks: IF Gov.
Murray were intent upon doing the
thing right he wouldn't stop at closing
down the oil fields of Oklahoma. In
deed. he would 60 shed and close them
down in Texas, Kansas, Wy0nalng, Cal
ifornia and pennsylvania. THAI might
help some. But better yet, he WOULD
send an expedition to Mexico and one
10 Yenezuela and others to Egypt, IA
mania and Southern Russia. Ik4f
would lust about solve the problem q
the Oklaholna producers"