Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-10-31

enough virgins to stock up against a possible
rainy day should not lose the benefits of
their foresightednesS in being forced to
share their stores with those who did not
look ahead. However without pausing to
debate this point, I win simply call attention
to a fundamental fact which supersedes all
others. The oil industry must be kept oper-
ating, regardless. It has to have materials
to operate. 1t must get those materials
from whatever source they can make them
available
81 have every confidence, therefore,
that plan for the redistribution Of In
dustry-heId materials will be worked out
within the very near future, and that
there will be the fullest possible CO.
operation, as called for by the needs Of
the times, from both the ~haves" and
the 'have nOts."
Another possibility that is occupying our
production and materials divisions in the
office of petroleum coordinator is that Of
retaining material and equipment which
Is either idle, or can be shifted to some
employment which will contribute more to
the needs Of war than the use to which it
is now being put. We are hopeful that the
benefits flowing from such program win
be found to be quite substantial
"As I have pointed out we know Of your
materials and manpower problems, and we
are trying to do something about them. we
know what the rubber shortage has already
done, and what the forthcoming program
of nationwide rationing of gasoline win do
to your markets. We are cognizant of your
increased labor COSTS and of the mounting
burden of taxation. All Of these things are
objects of our continuing concern, and you
may be very certain that we shall never
fail to act in any proper case, whenever it
is possible for US to do so within the scope
Of our jurisdiction, and in view Of a strained
wartime economy.
Especially do want yOu to know that
realize the importance of the indepen-
dent producer, both In peace and In war.
The very term, independent" seems
somehow, symbolic of the American
birthright of free opportunity In saying
this, imply no criticism of the so-caIIed
major companies, which, with only an
occasional exception, have given devoted
and patriotic service toward our war
program, and have shown the finest
kind Of cooperation even when, at
times, it has not been to their financial
advantage. And yet, I suspect that I
shall always feel warm affection for
the '1ittIe fellow" and have a sym
pathetic interest in his problems. We
must always have the independents
the little feIIOwS'-in all lines Of en-
deavOr in this country Of ours. without
them, something would go out Of the
bone and fibre of America
IF we have needed you before-if we shall
need you tomorrow-we need you particu-
arly today.
upon you, we must depend for the lions
share of the validating. To you we must
ook for the squeezing Of the last possible
1rop of oil from our older wells through
secondary recovery-now more essential
han ever before.
IT ask you to devote every effort to max
ng the most of our known reserves, and to
Emulate the finding Of new ones For my
'art, I pledge you that your interests will
lways be protected scrupulouSly You and
ye-your industry and your Government
re facing troublesome but adventurous
ays together. No one can say how far we
hall succeed, but let 1t never be said that
re have not tried. with everything that all
f us can give"