Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-08-19

is the threat of the Cole bill to the oil
industry as we see it.
The finest discussion of the proposed
measure we have seen comes from Rus
sell B. Brown, legal representative of
the Independent Petroleum Association
He points out the CAUSES rather than
recommending the bill, but he adds that
1t must be the Cole bill or something
else, should the industry fail to realize
the CAUSES. Every member should
read Mr.. Browns comments before draw
ing a final conclusions:
The industry can yet save itself Let
1t put into practice the policies it has
applauded as theory but ignored as rules
of action. Let sane methods take the
place of unintelligent greed Let prac-
tical men replace stuffed shirts. Let
those who by devious procedure killed
the effect of sound legislation, use the
Influence they have misused to obtain
the passage of such laws where needed
and the proper application of such laws
when passed. In brief, let us act as
business men, not buccaneers, as pa
triots and not as plunderers of the ma
TONS wealth.
We still have plenty Of chances to pre-
serve the independence of our industry
It's up to us all-not some of us, not
the big fellows" not the outstanding
chaps, but all of us. If we want to run
our business we must show ourselves
capable of running it-with a due re-
gard to our stewardship of a necessary, :,
valuable and irreplaceable natural re-
source"
MIR. BROWNS STATEMENT
The Petroleum Conservation" bill.
now in the hands of the Cole subcom-
mittee, proposes federal regulation of the
oil industry. Should this be realized.
control, federal ownership, appropriation.
naturalization
The new oil bill is not threat 1t is
not necessarily symptom of a bureau
cratic desire for power. It may not be
a manifestation of a facist tendency to-
ward RECOMMENDATION. 1t contains much
OF a sound, practical program for the
conservation of our petroleum resources.
1t IS the voice of some saying, eff you
will not regulate yourselves. then you
must be regulated"
The apparent purpose of the proposed
bill would seem to be in harmony with
the thinking Of many in the industry.
1t points very clearly to the necessity of
some things being done If the industry
and the oil states will not do these
things then the federal government pro-
poses to do them. They should be done
by some one
The members of the oil industry have
done more than ask for this bill They
have made its preparation and its in
PRODUCTION logical to many
Everything of Importance this bill
proposes could have been accomplished
by the industry and by the oil states and
may yet be so accomplished. Leaders
everywhere have admitted that. The rank
and file in the industry for the most
part have assented to that.
Programs for elimination of waste and
for the balance of supply with demand
have been drafted. enthusiastically a.
dopted and ignored. Every such pro-
gram is today an indictment against the
industry. We know what we should do
but we did not always do It, We can
not plead ignorance The public record
IS against us.
short-sighted greed has damaged
MS. So many men, firms, corporations.
wanted to "get just a little more while
the getting is good" After that. thew
would behave. 1t is now that indefinite
lime latter that"
Insincerity and treachery have played
heir parts. Lack of prudence has also
had its part. The industry knows of