anaheim-gazette 1917-03-22

The Weekly Gazette. ESTABLISHED 1870 Henry Kuchel, Editor and Proprietor SUBSCRIPTION PER YEAR ... $1.50 SIX MONTHS ... $1.00 THREE MONTHS ... $ .50 Entered at the Anaheim Postoffice as second-class matter AMERICAN VESSELS SUNK Carrying out their instructions to sink ships of all nations crossing the line encircling Great Britain which Germany had drawn as the boundary of its war zone, submarines on Sunday morning sank three American vessels without warning. Two of them were sailing for home ports under ballast, carrying no cargo. They were the City of Memphis, from Cardiff to New York, 5250 tons capacity, and the Illinois from London to Port Arthur, Texas. The size is not given. These vessels were both sunk by gun fire from the U-boats. The third vessel was the Vigilancia from New York to an English port. This ship was valued at $1,000,000 and it carried a cargo of provisions worth $750,000. It was torpedoed near Land's End by a submarine. Six officers and twenty-three men from this vessel reached the Scilly Islands, but fifteen members of the crew were drowned. PRISON DOORS UNLOCKED One of the most important events of modern history was the peaceful revolution in Russia last week in which the Great White Czar was overthrown almost without bloodshed, and the last absolute monarchy among the white business men and others who are occasionally induced to take a "flyer" in gas producing seem to be ignorant of the existence of them. Hence, in many eastern gas fields there are more wells than are necessary or profitable and in some fields the wells are crowded so closely that many of them have never produced enough gas to pay for themselves. A study of the available records of rock pressure and flow of wells in the Cleveland field indicates that the decline of rock pressure in the older wells is a valuable criterion in controlling new development. Probably in most fields the wells that are brought in after the general pressure has declined to one third of its original amount are unprofitable, and in many fields this point may be reached when the pressure has been reduced only one half. AWAKENING OF RUSSIA The abdication of Nicholas of Russia and the fall of the house of Romanoff means not only the emancipation of the people of Russia but it is probably the first step toward the downfall of imperialism in Europe. Mutterings in other countries are becoming louder, monarchies are tottering, and unless the war is speedily ended and the hungry fed, other peoples will follow the example of the Slavs and throw off the yokes that have been galling them for centuries. In obedience to the demands of the citizens and soldiers who revolted with a spontaneous movement and took possession of the government the Czar, on behalf of himself and his son, abdicated the throne Friday morning. Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich brother of Nicholas who then became Czar, also abdicated a few hours later, and refused the throne unless elected OIL FIELD The Birch Oil fortunate in Joseph Royer erators in the Royer superintendent partment. Mr. Royer wished 20 years business and u-ment game per-had a number lence and is responsible pos-manner. The he been associated M. Good for th-is well acquaint problems that h-to time in the Birch hill. The Birch oil drilling at 14. This well ing good program effort of the r company are o-the shutting o-threatening to-of the property. The fact that all that can po-f off the menace being appreci-erators, and w-company are o-the situation a-in the open, ar-of the develop- pended, and th-the water has systematic and- Oil developed a bit uneasy ov-confronting th-difficulty and o-the impossibility required to go-finish the work situation is re-matter and ha-Oil company t-on the Murphy other compani-around for plu- PRISON DOORS UNLOCKED One of the most important events of modern history was the peaceful revolution in Russia last week in which the Great White Czar was overthrown almost without bloodshed, and the last absolute monarchy among the white race, disappeared from the face of the earth. The most infamous penal system that ever existed in the world was abolished with a single blow. The first act of the revolutionists after gaining control of the government was to follow the example of the French populace who, 128 years previously, destroyed the Bastile and unchained the political prisoners. The Russians were more temperate in their actions than the French, however. The prisons were not destroyed by a mob, but the officials in charge of the government unlocked the doors of the hideous dens and the men and women incarcerated therein because they dared to express opinions that differed from those of the Czar, were released. Siberia is vomiting forth its thousands of unfortunates, hundreds of whom had been sent there to labor and rot and die merely on suspicion or because they had offended some favorite of the court. It is estimated that 60,000 prisoners were released, thousands of them being innocent of any crime whatever, and other thousands being guilty only of advocating a government of the people for the people and by the people. How many hundreds of thousands of innocent people have perished in these holes of hell, and gone down into unknown graves will never be known. The autocrats who have misgoverned Russia will have a fearful score to settle when they stand before that bar where justice is meted out to a man according to the deeds done in the body. O, SEE THE BULL HEAVER! Editor Clarkson of the Santa Ana Blade, who holds the Iowa record for aheaving of the bull, recently printed in his paper the statement that the United States government was preparing to establish a submarine base at Newport Bay. As a bull, the story was a peachierino, and when Brudder Bill Kettner was asked concerning it the example of the Slavs and throw off the yokes that have been galling them for centuries. In obedience to the demands of the citizens and soldiers who revolted with a spontaneous movement and took possession of the government the Czar, on behalf of himself and his son, abdicated the throne Friday morning. Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich brother of Nicholas who then became Czar, also abdicated a few hours later, and refused the throne unless elected by the people and for the first time in its long and troubled history, the government of Russia was in the hands of representatives elected by the people. The committee of the duma, now in charge, will call an election for the purpose of choosing heads of the rehabilitated nation. The Romanoff family came into power in 1613, when Michael Fredorovich Romanoff was elected emperor by the church. Several of the Czars have been assassinated, the last to die in this manner being Alexander the second who was killed by a bomb on March 13, 1891. This monarch did the most human act ever performed by a Romanoff when he issued a decree on March 2, 1861, freeing sixty million serfs, who were practically owned by two hundred thousand nobles. He was succeeded by his son, Alexander the third, who, through fear of assassination, shut himself up in his palace, and during the thirteen years of his reign was guarded night and day. Nicholas ascended the throne Nov. 1, 1894. Some years ago, by reason of the pressure brought to bear upon him, he issued a ukase granting the people a duma, or parliament, but these supposed law makers were only puppets of the court, as any member who presumed to disobey a suggestion of the autocrat was doomed to destruction. The Czars of Russia were the most autocratic rulers of modern times, and Nicholas was one of the weakest. It was known to the people that his palace was crowded with grafters, incompetents and traitors. Many incidents, since the outbreak of the war have shown that the men in charge of affairs at Petrograd were either incompetent or were traitors to their country. Ammunition unsuited to their guns was furnished to soldiers at the front, money appropriated for the relief of soldiers during the severe winter weather was pocketed by the officials through whose hands it was supposed to pass and the treasury went left to oil developed a bit uneasy over confronting difficulty and its impossibility required to go finish the work situation is real matter and has Oil company tainted on the Murphy other companies around for pipe difficulty with time come well now. The Standardizing work owed from San Pedro first of this year to start the work being able to ennemen market. The inability necessary pipe serious drawback opening up sides the scarce price of the moll well business a prohibitive force. It is understory mills are busy very little pipe at present. The mediate cessation return of business peace and prosperity. At the present have only 26 on the Hunt at a depth of 33 is going in. There has been baitation as to what company, one one in local flies has almost closedment work. He another have been has it that they to the Standard Amalgamated capital, and a t price of matter shut down. Tension to state rumors are all have missed it of the Amalgam one well only field here at all proclaiming their tops. Nevertheless position to speed conditions continue this company movement work future. The coopup in its works wind, so to sp big development. Yesterday tha pany started erected by tha company and w daily through O, SEE THE BULL HEAVER! Editor Clarkson of the Santa Ana Blade, who holds the Iowa record for aheaving of the bull, recently printed in his paper the statement that the United States government was preparing to establish a submarine base at Newport Bay. As a bull, the story was a peacherino, and when Brudder Bill Kettner was asked concerning it in town the other day he said he did not see why Brother Clarkson should waste time in strengthening his hold upon a title, which nobody in California cares to dispute. Neither do we. GAS WELLS TOO CLOSE One of the most important problems confronting the gas producing industry is that of determining the smallest number of wells capable of removing most economically all the gas under a given tract of land. So manw complex factors enter into this problem that few systematic attempts have been made to solve it, and gas operators have in general been content to accept rough estimates of the number of wells that should be drilled per unit of area. In some localities it is held that only one well should be drilled to each 800 acres; in others it is customary to drill a well in each 20 or 40 acres. With present knowledge the number to be drilled must be to some extent a matter of opinion, and it is very doubtful whether any limit can be fixed that will be applicable to all fields. Those who are familiar with the gas industry have long realized that a closely drilled field is short lived, and that in most pools the later wells are less likely to be profitable than the earlier ones. Few operators, however, have attempted to analyze the reasons for these conditions, and most of the race was crowded with grafters, incompetents and traitors. Many incidents, since the outbreak of the war have shown that the men in charge of affairs at Petrograd were either incompetent or were traitors to their country. Ammunition unsuited to their guns was furnished to the soldiers at the front, money appropriated for the relief of soldiers during the severe winter weather was pocketed by the officials through whose hands it was supposed to pass, and the troops were left to suffer. But the withholding of food from the starving people was the step that stirred them to action. They knew that vast stores of provisions were hoarded up, and their empty stomachs spurred them into revolt. The revolution lasted three days, and with a loss of only 500 the people took possession of Petrograd, Moscow and other large cities, deposed the Czar, placed the supreme authority of the nation in hands of the duma and imprisoned the traiterous advisors of the government. The people are wild with joy. They have for the first time in the history of the Slav people tasted freedom. They have just discovered their power and in a few weeks, through an election, a government chosen by the people will be formed, and Russia's great but almost bloodless revolution will be complete. Mr. and Mrs. John Ziegler entertained a number of friends at dinner Sunday, several of the guests being from out of town. Carmellite Escareza of Placentia swallowed concentrated lye it is supposed with sulcidal intent, and died at the county hospital Monday night. Worry and despondency was the cause of the act, it is said. She was 22 years of age. Anahelm Gazette OIL FIELD NOTES The Birch Oil company are extremely fortunate in securing the service of Joseph Royer one of the best oil operators in the state, and the company has shown its wisdom in making Mr. Royer superintendent of the field department. Mr. Royer while a young man has had 20 years experience in the oil business and understands the development game perfectly. Mr. Royer has had a number of years eastern experience and is well fitted to handle the responsible position in a very efficient manner. The new superintendent has been associated with the late Matthew M. Good for the past seven years and is well acquainted with the peculiar problems that have come up from time to time in the drilling of wells on the Birch hill. The Birch company has only one well drilling at the present time, No. 14. This well is down 1570 and making good progress. The attention and effort of the remaining forces of the company are being concentrated on the shutting off of the water that is threatening to destroy the oil sands of the property. The fact that this company is doing all that can possibly be done to shut off the menacing water is certainly being appreciated by neighboring operators, and what is more the Birch company are not at all ashamed of the situation and have come right out in the open, and stated why the bulk of the development work has been suspended, and the work of combatting the water has been started on a very systematic and exhaustive manner. Oil developers are beginning to feel a bit uneasy over the situation that is confronting them on account of the difficulty and in a number of cases the impossibility to get the casing required to go ahead with the well or finish the work already started. The situation is really becoming a serious matter and has caused the Standard Oil company to shut down two wells on the Murphy property. A number of other companies are beginning to look around for pipe and are wondering if east line of the field. A lot of money has been spent and everything possible has been done to make an oil well. One difficulty after another developed, and at no time was the showing of oil strong enough to be of much encouragement. The Standard cannot be blamed for not wanting to put any more money into the well, as there seemed to be no possibility of ever getting a producing well of any value on the east side. Wells drilled near the Coyote 3-2 have not been successful. The problem of getting the water shut off and keeping it shut off has been a very difficult one. The nearest well to the Standard's 3-2 have been largely water wells. It seems that the good stuff does not extend very much farther east than the St. Helen's Petroleum company's lease. On the Emery the Standard has Nos. 29, 30, 31, and 32 drilling. No. 30 is now close to 3900 feet and will be the next one to be put on the beam at this lease. The Murphy lease has been slowed down somewhat this week on account of the inability of the company to get the pipe, two of the drilling wells have been shut down. No. 21 is redrilling, as are Nos. 26, 27 and 28. Two new rigs have been erected on the Murphy. On the Whittier lease No. 41 is cemented, 42 is deepening and 46, 47 and 48 are drilling and are making lots of hole. No. 49 is rigged up, a grade is being made for 50 and 51 has been staked out. At Dominguez the Standard is meeting with good success in the redrilling of the well, and will be making new hole again before many days. Coyote 2-9 is going down rapidly, the tools are now working at 1200 feet. On the Savage lease No. 12 is going good; 14 is drilling, a grade for 15 has been made, also some work has been done for No. 16. The Standard is going right ahead with the development of the Baldwin Hills tract, the good showing of the first well is the encourager, and the excellent way in which the initial production of the Montebello wild cat well is holding up bids fare to the getting of more wells like it. The well came in doing 350 bbls, and has held up to that figure since then. The rig for Baldwin No. 2 is under construction and material for No. 3 has been put on the ground. The derrick for drilling hope to come into the oil sand after the shell is drilled through. A surprise may be in store in that layer of oil sand containing light oil. Reports from the New Era Oil company's well at Placentia state that the operators are having continued difficulties in their attempt to drill a well with the hydraulic system. At first it was thought that the well could be put down a considerable distance without the use of pipe. However this idea has been lost and pipe will be used as soon as some can be put on the ground. The Santa Fe Oil company have No. 74 drilling at 2580. No. 75 is 2883 and drilling. No. 76 is down 1683 and the 9-5-8 casing is going in. At No. 77 the tools are drilling in shale and No. 78, started last week has made 112 feet. UNCLE SAM'S NAVY BEING RAPIDLY RECRUITED Expect to Increase the Force to 87,000 Men The enlisted personnel of the navy is being recruited rapidly, a total of 60,600 men being attained. Congress has authorized a total strength of 74,000 and given the president authority to increase that to 87,000 in emergency. That power will not be exercised, however, until a strength of 70,000 has been reached. In the event of complete mobilization, three steps would be taken: Retired officers would be summoned to duty at yards and other shore stations, relieving active officers for sea duty; the fleet reserve, now about 1200 strong, in highly trained men, would be called to the colors, and the naval militia, about 10,000 strong would be called out. With these men available, it is estimated that every ship of military value, including all reserve battlecraft, cruisers and destroyers, could be made ready at once for action. Each reserve ship now has a skeleton crew aboard. Oil developers are beginning to feel a bit uneasy over the situation that is confronting them on account of the difficulty and in a number of cases the impossibility to get the casing required to go ahead with the wells or finish the work already started. The situation is really becoming a serious matter and has caused the Standard Oil company to shut down two wells on the Murphy property. A number of other companies are beginning to look around for pipe and are wondering if the difficulty will be overcome when the time comes to put the pipe in the wells now being drilled. The Standard figured on commencing the work of laying a six inch line from San Pedro to El Segundo the first of this year, but has been unable to start the work on account of not being able to get the pipe on the open market. The inability of operators to get the necessary pipe is going to be a very serious drawback to wildcattailing and the opening up of new territory. Besides the scarcity of pipe the high price of the materials all through the oil well business has risen to almost a prohibitive figure. It is understood that the big steel mills are busy filling war orders and very little pipe if any, is being made at present. The only relief is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the return of business to materials of peace and prosperity. At the present time the Amalgamated have only one well drilling, No. 26 on the Huadle lease. The well is at a depth of 3025, and the 8½ casing is going in. There has been considerable speculation as to why the Amalgamated Oil company, one of the busiest companies in the local field a few months ago, has almost closed down its development work. Rumors of one sort and another have been afloat. One rumor has it that the property has been sold to the Standard, another is that the Amalgamated has run out of ready capital, and a third has it that the high price of materials has caused the shut down. The writer is in a position to state authoritatively that the rumors are all wild and the wise ones have missed it a mile. The real cause of the Amalgamated closing down to one well only it not even known in the field here at all. The officials are not proclaiming their plans from the house tops. Nevertheless those who are in a position to speak with a knowledge of conditions convey the impression that this company will resume development work strongly in the very near future. The company is getting caught up in its work, and getting a second wind, so to speak, preparatory to a big development campaign. Yesterday the Brea Canyon Oil company started a new cleaning plant erected by the Petroleum Rectifying company and will run about 500 bbls daily through the new plant. This oil developers are beginning to feel a bit uneasy over the situation that is confronting them on account of the difficulty and in a number of cases the impossibility to get the casing required to go ahead with the wells or finish the work already started. The situation is really becoming a serious matter and has caused the Standard Oil company to shut down two wells on the Murphy property. A number of other companies are beginning to look around for pipe and are wondering if the difficulty will be overcome when the time comes to put the pipe in the wells now being drilled. The Standard figured on commencing the work of laying a six inch line from San Pedro to El Segundo the first of this year, but has been unable to start the work on account of not being able to get the pipe on the open market. The inability of operators to get the necessary pipe is going to be a very serious drawback to wildcattailing and the opening up of new territory. Besides the scarcity of pipe the high price of the materials all through the oil well business has risen to almost a prohibitive figure. It is understood that the big steel mills are busy filling war orders and very little pipe if any, is being made at present. The only relief is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the return of business to materials of peace and prosperity. At the present time the Amalgamated have only one well drilling, No. 26 on the Huadle lease. The well is at a depth of 3025, and the 8½ casing is going in. There has been considerable speculation as to why the Amalgamated Oil company, one of the busiest companies in the local field a few months ago, has almost closed down its development work. Rumors of one sort and another have been afloat. One rumor has it that the property has been sold to the Standard, another is that the Amalgamated has run out of ready capital, and a third has it that the high price of materials has caused the shut down. The writer is in a position to state authoritatively that the rumors are all wild and the wise ones have missed it a mile. The real cause of the Amalgamated closing down to one well only it not even known in the field here at all. The officials are not proclaiming their plans from the house tops. Nevertheless those who are in a position to speak with a knowledge of conditions convey the impression that this company will resume development work strongly in the very near future. The company is getting caught up in its work, and getting a second wind, so to speak, preparatory to a big development campaign. Yesterday the Brea Canyon Oil company started a new cleaning plant erected by the Petroleum Rectifying company and will run about 500 bbls daily through the new plant. This oil developers are beginning to feel a bit uneasy over the situation that is confronting them on account of the difficulty and in a number of cases the impossibility to get the casing required to go ahead with the wells or finish the work already started. The situation is really becoming a serious matter and has caused the Standard Oil company to shut down two wells on the Murphy property. A number of other companies are beginning to look around for pipe and are wondering if the difficulty will be overcome when the time comes to put the pipe in the wells now being drilled. The Standard figured on commencing the work of laying a six inch line from San Pedro to El Segundo the first of this year, but has been unable to start the work on account of not being able to get the pipe on the open market. The inability of operators to get the necessary pipe is going to be a very serious drawback to wildcattailing and the opening up of new territory. Besides the scarcity of pipe the high price of materials all through the oil well business has risen to almost a prohibitive figure. It is understood that the big steel mills are busy filling war orders and very little pipe if any, is being made at present. The only relief is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the return of business to materials of peace and prosperity. At the present time the Amalgamated have only one well drilling, No. 26 on the Huadle lease. The well is at a depth of 3025, and the 8½ casing is going in. There has been considerable speculation as to why the Amalgamated Oil company, one of the busiest companies in the local field a few months ago, has almost closed down its development work. Rumors of one sort and another have been afloat. One rumor has it that the property has been sold to the Standard, another is that the Amalgamated has run out of ready capital, and a third has it that the high price of materials has caused the shut down. The writer is in a position to state authoritatively that the rumors are all wild and the wise ones have missed it a mile. The real cause of the Amalgamated closing down to one well only it not even known in the field here at all. The officials are not proclaiming their plans fromthe house tops. Nevertheless those who are in a position to speak with a knowledge of conditions conveyive that this company will resume development work strongly inthe very near future. The company is getting caught up in its work, and getting a second wind, so to speak, preparatory to a big development campaign. YesterdaytheBreaCanyonOilcompanystartedanewcleaningplanterectedbythePetroleumRectifyingcompanyandwillrunabout500bblsdailythroughthenewplant.Thisoildevelopersarebeginningtofeelabituneasyoverthe SituationthatisConfrontingthemontheaccountofthedifficultyandinanumberofcasestheimpossibilitytogetthecasingrequiredtogobethewellsonthewallsnowbeingdrilled.TheStandardfiguredoncummencingtheworkoflayinga sixinchlinefromSanPedrotoElSegundothefirstofthisyearbuthasbeenunabletostarttheworkontheaccountofnotbeingabletogetthepipeontheopenmarket. The inabilityofoperatorstocethenecessarypipeisgoingtobeaveryseriousdrawbacktwildcattailingandtheopeningupofnewterritory.Besidesthescarcityofpipethehighpriceofmaterialsallthroughtheoilwellbusinesshass risenedtoalmostaprobilitivefigure. Itisunderstoodthatthebigsteelmillstarebusyfillingwarordersandverylittlepipeifanyisbeingmadeatpresent.Theonlyreliefistheimmediatecessationofhostilitiesandthereturnofbusinesstothematerialsofpeaceandprosperity. AtthepresenttimetheAmalgamatedhaveonlyonewelldrillingNo.26ontheHuadlelease.Thewellisatdepthof3025,andthe8½casingisgoingin. TherehasbeenconsiderablespeculationastowhytheAmalgamatedOilcompanyoneofthebusiestcompaniesinthenlocalfieldafewmonthsago,hasalmostcloseddownitsdevelopmentwork.RumorsofonesortandanotherhavebefooftainOnerumorhasitthattherpropertyhasbeensoldtotheStandard,anotheristhattheAmalgamatedhasrunoutofreadycapital,andthirdhasitthatthehighpriceofmaterialshascausedshutdown.Thewriterisinapositiontostateauthoritativelythattherumorsareallwildandthewiseoneshavemisseditamile.TherealcauseoftheAmalgamatedclosingdowntoonewellonlyitnotevenknowninthefieldhereatall.Theofficialsarenotproclaimingtheirplanstromehousetops.Neverthelessthosewhoareinapositiontospokenwithaknowledgeofconditionsconveyivetheimpressionthatthiscompanywillresumedevelopmentworkstronglyintherevyknearfuture.Thecompanyisgetting caughtupinitswork,andgettingacondwind,sотоspeak,prepartarytoabigdevelopmentcampaign. YesterdaytheBreaCanyonOilcompanystartedanewcleaningplanterectedbythePetroleumRectifyingcompanyandwillrunabout500bblsdailythroughthenewplant.Thisoildevelopersarebeginningtofeelabituneasyoverthe SituationthatisConfrontingthemontheaccountofthedifficultyandinanumberofcasestheimpossibilitytogetthecasingscausedshutdown.Thewriterisinapositiontospokenwithaknowledgeofconditionsconveyivetheimpressionthatthiscompanywillresumedevelopmentworkstronglyintherevyknearfuture.Thecompanyisgetting caughtupinitswork,andgettingacondwind,sотоspeak,prepartarytoabigdevelopmentcampaign. Republicancongressionalleadersarejustprotestived vigoriouslyoverthemake-upofthenewtariffcommission,so-called.I mightaswellbe dubbedafreetradecommissionatonce,anddropallpretensessaystheSanBernardinoSun.The SunhasalreadyprotestedagainstWilliamKentastheCaliforniamember,但它 seemsvery muchasif,economicallyspeakingwehaveabout sixWilliamKentson proclaiming their plans from the house tops. Nevertheless those who are in a position to speak with a knowledge of conditions convey the impression that this company will resume development work strongly in the very near future. The company is getting caught up in its work, and getting a second wind, so to speak, preparatory to a big development campaign. Yesterday the Brea Canyon Oil company started a new cleaning plant erected by the Petroleum Rectifying company and will run about 500 bbls daily through the new plant. This plant is known as the electric dehydration process and the method of separating oil from water by the electrical process is perhaps the best that has ever been discovered. No matter how heavy the oil or how high the percentage of emulsion the electric method gets all the foreign matter out of the oil. The Brea Canyon people are cleaning out No. 29 at 1850 and putting in the 10 inch casing. 30 is being held up on account of pipe trouble. The well is down 350 feet. No work has yet been done on No. 31, the proposed new well. On the Orange lease the Columbia Oil company is being delayed at No. 7 on account of casing trouble, but hope to overcome this difficulty in a few days. In the Olinda field the Columbia have three wells drilling and all are going very good. No. 26 is down 2600, No. 28 is also about the same depth. Excellent progress is being made on the new well, No. 29, which is down 1000 feet and going good. The Fullerton Oil company is entertaining stronger hopes of making an oil well out of No. 12. The well started pumping a few weeks ago and when started showed only a coloring of oil on the water. At present the coloring has increased to 30% oil. Besides No. 12 this company has two other wells drilling. No. 10 is at 2750 and No. 11 is at the 2565 mark. The Standard Oil company this week are making preparations for the abandonment of Coyote 3-2. For the past three years the company has tried diligently to get a well down out on the The redrilling of the Berkenstock well is proceeding nicely, work being underway at better than 1800 ft. On the Hole lease work continues strong. No. 6 is drilling in the oil sand at 3460. No. 8 is redrilling at 2900. No. 9 is making good progress at 3400. No. 11 is cemented. No. 13 is nearing the finishing point, the depth being 3480. No. 14 has been cemented at 2900. No. 15 is being rigged, at 16 a new rig is being built, No. 17 is rigging and No. 18 stands cemented. Things are moving right along on the Meyer well, the tools being close to 800 feet and no delays have as yet been met with. On the Naranjal lease the Union has four wells drilling. No. 6 is at 2000, No. 7 is drilling at 1500, No. 8 is rotating at 1670 and No. 10 is being delayed on account of a fishing job. The condition of the Copa De Ora well, the Chino wild catter, is so good that a rush to lease the surrounding territory will be on in a few days, if the land is not all leased already. The latest report from this well states that the well is now 2900 feet deep and that a strong gas pressure and traces of oil are present. The writer has predicted a well right along and will soon be in the "I told you so," class. The Gold Seal company have got there fishing job over with and are making new hole again, at 1700 feet. The A.T.Courier well is now being operated by J.F.Macay an oil man of unusually extensive experience and success is looked for. Mr.Makay will make an effort to shut off the bottom water and put the well to producing. The well shows considerable oil and has a good gas pressure, making the outlook so encouraging that great effort will be expended in making the well a producer. In case the operators are unable to shut the water off with success it is thought that another well will be drilled close by. The conditions are encouraging enough to warrant further development. The Tri-State Oil company is drilling at a depth of 4700 feet, and are using 3-inch casing. The formation at this depth is hard shell and the owners Republican congressional leaders are justified in protesting vigorously over the make-up of the new tariff commission, so-called. It might as well be dubbed a free trade commission at once, and drop all pretenses says the San Bernardino Sun. The Sun has already protested against William Kent as the California member, but it seems very much as if, economically speaking we have about six William Kents on the board just announced by President Wilson. That the executive should have so twisted the spirit and meaning of the law adopted by congress is at least surprising. It was the intention of congress that the commission should be not only nonpartisan, or rather partisan, but that in its membership advocates and opponents of the protective idea should be equally represented. That controlling idea has been completely lost sight of. It is doubtful if there is a single protectionist on the board. There is only one who claims to be a republican, and he has been an administration appointee for several years, while the general makeup of its personnel is accurately suggested when it is stated that every member voted for Wilson last November. As we gauge public sentiment in the United States, the protective idea is growing. Many life long democrats of greater or less prominence have in recent years announced their acceptance of the principle as a national necessity. The conversion of the entire Hearst newspaper policy to protection is merely a hint of what has been going on. But the revolution in sentiment has not yet invaded the chairs of political economy in many of the universities, and President Wilson is still something of a school master. The oil sand after storage in that layer of light oil. The New Era Oil company states that the living continued diff-ent attempt to drill a well system. At first it met the well could be tolerable distance with pipe. However this cost and pipe will be home can be put on the oil company have No. No. 75 is 2883 and is down 1683 and the ing in. At No. 77 the in shale and No. 78 has made 112 feet. NAVY PIDLY RECRUITED Please the Force to 000 Men Personnel of the navy had rapidly, a total of attained. Congress total strength of 74. The president authority to 87,000 in emergen- will not be exercised, strength of 70,000 has of complete mobiliza- would be taken; would be summoned and other shore active officers for fleet reserve, now ing, in highly trained called to the colors, militia, about 10,000 called out. With able, it is estimated of military value, in-ive battlecraft, cruisers, could be made action. Each reserve skeleton aboard American products and manufactured articles will face the competition of the world if they have to depend on the protection this tariff commission gives them. Republicans in the senate will be justified in fighting con-tration, on the ground that the spirit and purpose of the law creating the commission have been evaded. POTATOES IN CALIFORNIA The principal regions of California in which potatoes are grown at the present time, are the Delta region, comprising parts of San Joaquin, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties; the Salinas valley in Monterey county, the Napa and Sonoma valleys in their respective counties, and the regions comprising parts of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Riverside counties. The average yield per acre in these several localities differs widely, ranging from 4500 to 12000 pounds. In general where soil conditions are aptimum the yields vary according to the mean temperature of the growing season, writes J. W. Gilmore in a bulletin issued by the Experiment station; the best yields being obtained in localities with relatively cool summer temperatures. Hence, the interior valleys are not so well adapted for potatoes as the cooler coast sections. It should be noted, however, that potatoes are grown in all counties of the state, and by improved culture methods the potato acreage can be extended. In order to meet the requirements for profitable potato yields a soil must be superior in three respects—drainage, organic matter content, and preparation. Of these three, granted that there is reasonable fertility present, drainage is most important. The good potato soils in all parts of the country are those that are either naturally or artificially well drained. On the oth- productive hills. These culls were planted in comparison with cut sets of the same size from larger tubers. The yield of the culls was only 56 percent of the yield from the cut sets. It follows, therefore, that the safe practice is to plant cut sets from large tubers rather than small whole tubers, unless they represent productive hills. If, however, the whole tubers, though small, are from productive hills, these may be better for an additional reason: that small tubers are likely to be less mature than large tubers; and after the tubers have passed through the required rest period, stronger sprouts emanate from immature than from mature tubers. This is the reason why stronger sprouts come from the bud ed than from the stem end. This also explains why second crop potatoes are often better for seed than those of the main crop. Local Notes Miss Etta Schindler, accompanied by Miss Ruby Hopkins and Misses Aleida and Julia Heying were visiting Sunday with Mrs. C. Schindler. Frank Fox has again engaged in the barbering business and has taken a chair in Mont Webb's tonsorial parlors. Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Henderson and Mr. and Mrs. Lyons spent Scnday at San Juan Capistrano, exploring the old mission. Mrs. W. J. Lake, Mrs. Henry Harrison and their mother, Mrs. Heying, went up to Los Angeles Monday on a visit to friends. Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Mitchell of Long Beach were in town Friday viewing and other shore long active officers for affect reserve, now in highly trained called to the colors, militia, about 10,000 called out. With able, it is estimated of military value, inve battlecraft, cruisers, could be made action. Each reserve kkeleton crew aboard, filled men of the engunnery divisions. States, however, do not living crews for the US scout patrol craft. Young officers to be month will be used and these vessels or experienced junior offship duty for that only many of the paramand by warrant of the navy or by marine officers who may device. Their crews alloud be made up largely enough trained men to handle the The War Departto steps toward makwar. The facts are, every complete plan of the guard have and that provision has main promptly enough to organize a force ers. No move to call any can be made, howgressional authorization. The regular army is well progress. The reata total of 863 recruits added through postmasting in the National Deconstructions went out. The importance of early and thouough preparation cannot be over emphasized. It is estimated that this procedure gives half the assurance of the crop. The land should be plowed as deeply as possible in the fall and allowed to remain rough during the winter, in order that it may be benefitted by the winter rains and weather. As early in the spring as possible it should be worked with disc and harrow as often as may be, in order to keep the surface in good condition and to destroy early germinating weeds. It is desirable that the interval between opening the furrows before planting and closing them afterward shall be as short as possible. In case the land cannot be plowed until spring it should be plower deeply and worked frequently, in order to give it sufficient compactness to facilitate the distribution and retention of moisture. The yield of potatoes on reasonably good soil will increase with the size Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Henderson and Mr. and Mrs. Lyons spent Sunday at San Juan Capistrano, exploring the old mission. Mrs. W. J. Lake, Mrs. Henry Harrison and their mother, Mrs. Heying, went up to Los Angeles Monday on a visit to friends. Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Mitchell of Long Beach were in town Friday viewing the progress on their new business block. Miss Cecil Manuel spent Sunday at Seal Beach, visiting with Miss Ida Dyckman. Company L is having a battle of its own. Its battle is for membership, and its opponent is the navy. The company has been adding a number of recruits to its roster recently, and in some instances the recruits have retained their membership only for a few days, joining the navy before they even had time to get a new uniform. An effort is now being made to increase the list of the local company to 106 by March 31, and young men who are intending to join are requested to do so before that date. Frank F. Davis, accompanied by his daughter Mrs. C. A. Steele of Seattle and her two children spent Sunday visiting the points of interest in Los Angeles and Pasadena. On Monday Mr. Davis took his visitors down to the beach and showed them the sights at Long Beach, Seal eBach, Naples, etc. This was Mrs. Steele's first visit to Southern California, and she was delighted with what she saw. She and her children left Tuesday for their home, being compelled to resume her journey from Kansas to Seattle because of the limitations of a railroad ticket, which permitted only a five-day stop. Ambrosia Cruz of Fullerton, aged 14, was buried Thursday at the Anaheim cemetery. She died at the county hospital Tuesday of pneumonia. C. B. Berger will be chairman at today's business men's luncheon. Dr. A. H. Domann, county health officer, has issued a warning against drinking water from irrigation ditches. Several cases of typhoid, it is reported have resulted from this practice. Regressional leaders are resting vigorously over the new tariff commission. It might as well be grade commission at all pretenses says the Sun. The Sun has al-against William Kent remember, but it seems economically speakingix William Kents on announced by President Intive should have so and meaning of the congress is at least was the intention of the commission should partisan, or rather blit in its membership opponents of the probe equally represent-lling idea has been right of. It is doubt-ly single protectionist there is only one who republican, and he has orientation appointee for the general makeel is accurately sug-is stated that every Wilson last Novem- public sentiment in the protective idea is life long democrats prominence have inounced their accept-ple as a national ne-version of the entire policy to protection of what has been go-revolution in senti-t invaded the chairsomy in many of the President Wilson is of a school master. the surface in good condition and to destroy early germinating weeds. It is desirable that the interval between opening the furrows before planting and closing them afterward shall be as short as possible. In case the land cannot be ployed until spring it should be plower deeply and worked frequently, in order to give it sufficient compactness to facilitate the distribution and retention of moisture. The yield of potatoes on reasonably good soil will increase with the size of the set. But there is a limit in size above which the cost of the seed will be greater than the value of the extra yield and below which the yield of marketable tubers will not pay for the growing of the crop. The results of experiments, extended in time and place, indicate that the seed set producing the greatest returns over the cost of seed and of growing the crop should be between two and three ounces. The best results have followed the use of cut sets. For optimum yields the size need not be so large for whole tubers as for those cut. It has been found that whole tubers, when size is equal to cut sets, often give somewhat better results than cut sets. This is because the cut sets lose something by exoration and contact of the fresh surface soil, are more subject to attack of diseases in the soil, and also because there are more eyes on the whole tuber. Hence, the whole tuber has a better chance of setting forth its strongest eyes as sprouts. On the other hand the planting of whole tubers is more often questionable because the small whole tuber is likely to represent the progeny of a weak producing hill. For example, in a crop of potatoes where 18 per cent of the total crap were unmarketable or culls, it was found that 76 per cent of these culls were from weak or un- Ambrosia Cruz of Fullerton, aged 14, was buried Thursday at the Anaheim cemetery. She died at the county hospital Tuesday of pneumonia. C. B. Berger will be chairman at today's business men's luncheon. Dr. A. H. Domann, county health officer, has issued a warning against drinking water from irrigation ditches. Several cases of typhoid, it is reported have resulted from this practice. Charles Hessel of Manitowoc, Wis., came in this week on a visit to his son, Leonard Hessel, and family. Miss Hannah Howitz, of the Howard studio, attended a meeting of the photographers of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties at San Bernardino Sunday. The Citrus Belt Photographers' association was formed at this meeting. The association will meet at Judge Howard's studio in this city on May 30. The San Diego Union prints a copy of a letter that two brothers in Bombay, India, sent out to their patrons, announcing the death of their father, who had been the head of the firm. It shows what a Hindu can do when he attempts to write in English: "Gentlemen: We have the pleasure to inform you that our respected father departed this life on the 10th inst. His business will be conducted by his beloved sons, whose names are given below. The opium market is quiet and mal. 1500 rupees per chest. O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory We remain," etc. FOR SALE—Plano, new Concord buggy, household goods, reading lamp. Best offer takes the lot. J. B. Root.