Evening star., 1944-02-07
Arabian Oil Pipeline
Hit by Senator Moore
las 'Monstrous Thing

Describing the Governments huge
Arabian oil pipeline project as "a
monstrous thing that will be inves-
tigated extensively" Senator Moore,
Republican, of Oklahoma charged
today that the line will take SO long
to build 1t will supply no oil for mill
tary use in this war.
While the pipeline agreement,
announced Saturday by Secretary of
Interior Ickes, drew the unqualified
opposition Of Senator Moore, himself
an independent oil man, other Sen
ators expressed desire for more
details before giving opinion of the
venture. -
Senator johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado said he, preferred to regard
the Arabian deal, which provides an
outlet on the Mediterranean for the
tremendous American-oWned oil re-
serves on the Persian Gulf, las mil
itary matter that will aid in prosecu-
ton Of the war" He also called for
more information on the agreement
Hearing to Start Next Week.
The Colorado Senator Is chairman
Of subcommittee which will inves-
tigate Petroleum Reserves Corp,
contractual agent for the Govern
ment In the pipeline agreement.
The haring will start Fbruary Is,
with Mr.. Ickes, president of PRO,
as the first witness. Senator john
son said the pipeline deal will be
investigated along with other oper-
ations Of the corporation.
The pipeline will transport oil
about 1850 miles from two large
fields on the Persian Gulf to an
American military supply base to be
constructed on the Mediterranean.
The fields are in Saudi Arabia,
owned by the Standard Oil Co. of
California and the Texas Co., and
in Kuwait, owned by Gulf OIL Corp
Mr.. Ickes stated that an actual
contract between PRO and the oil
companies awaited formal approval
Of the two countries involved. The
Government will get an estimated
1000 ,000,0 900 barrels Of oil from the
rich fields.
Senator Moore charged the agree
ment was tantamount to a treaty
with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
without the necessary Senate ap-
proval. He said President Roose-
velt and Mr.. Ickes ignored the
views of Congress In approving the
agreement.
The Oklahoman estimated the line
will take three years to build and
It's ultimate cost four times the Ickes'
estimate of from $130,0O0 900 to
$165 100000. He said 1t would be
cheaper to transport oil to the
Mediterranean by water despite the
added distance.
This project has no recommended
ton for soundness," said the Sena-
tor. II think 1t is a monstrous
thing. 1t represents a reversal of
international policy as we'll as oil
policy. Our business should be car
ried on by private industry. This
embarks the Government in the oil
business, another step to socialize
all business"
Senator Moore said the three oil
companies involved should have
financed the pipeline themselves. If
they were unwilling to risk the capi-
tai, he said, other companies would
have been glad to help on a pooling
arrangement.
This deal is just as wrong as
anything could be-" he concluded.
Brewster Asks Study.
Senator Brewster, Republican, of
Maine, who has been critical of the
Government for using so large a por-
ton OF domestic American oil in
the war. said he neither approved
nor opposed the Arabian agree
ment. He added it should be con-
sidered carefully since 1T repre-
sents a tremendous departure from
American traditions and a radical
change in our foreign policy"
Mr.. 1ckes said the huge stock of
petroleum to be obtained by the
Government was sufficient to care
for the needs Of our armed forces
Tor several years even at the pres
ent unprecedented rate of consump-
ton The oil, he added, will have
an important use in the postwar
as well as the war period. The
Government. he said, will be repaid
with interest and profit for the cost
Of the pipe line.