Show I MIDWEST CONTROLS THREE GREAT WYO FIELDS The recent acquisition by the Salt Creek Producers' Producers association of the majority of the interests of the Verner z Z Reed Heed estate In the Salt Creek field places the Midwest Refining company In control of ot the three largest oil oilfields oilfields fields in Wyoming and assures it of a a. crude oil production superior to any In the country quality and quantity of oil both bath considered Through Its ownership of ot stock control of ot the Merritt Oil corporation and the Western Western Western West West- ern States Oil and Land company it has a dominant position in the Big Muddy and Lance Lance- Creek fields and through control of or the Grass Creek Petroleum company and operating contracts with the Elk Basin Petroleum Petroleum Petroleum Petro Petro- leum company It Is In virtual control of these two small producing areas The Midwest Refining company is in control of or the Salt Creek Producers' Producers association So far as the leasing bill Is concerned concerned con con- the California operators who hold large areas included In the naval reserves on the one lne hand and the secretary of or the navy on the tho other are the two obstacles to an agreement agreement agree agree- ment The operators with some show of reason claim that they have legal which the government must respect but they insist on in m excess of these undisputed rights On the other hand Secretary Daniels is willing to concede demands on the part of ot the operators where they can he established in law but contends that those who have havo no such rights shall withdraw their claims In the meantime the naval reserve I in Wyoming Is not nota a subject of contention contention con con- and might properly be left out of all consideration if it the California operators wO would lla consent No private I individual or corporation claims any rights in the Wyoming reserve and If It it were eliminated the the- Salt Creek disputes disputes disputes dis dis- dis- dis could be easily settled by the departments concerned which have agreed that the withdrawal of 1909 may be disregarded in the case of ot those locators who had carried out the requirements of ot the oil placer act prior to their later withdrawal of 1910 which was made pursuant to authority author author- ity of or congress There is reason to believe that eventually concessions will be made In the case of or the California Cali Call California fornia operators and that when that thatis is accomplished a leasing bill favorable favorable favora favora- ble to the development of ot the withdrawal withdrawal withdrawal with with- areas In both states will be passed It Is hardly possible that any act can be passed for two or three months but the disposition of or the administration to treat the operators fairly and the promised action by congress give grounds for confidence that some remedial legislation will be had before the present session is adjourned |