Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 153, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1918 — UNITED STATES MAY SEIZE ALL OIL FIELDS [ARTICLE]

UNITED STATES MAY SEIZE ALL OIL FIELDS

Washington, D. C., July 9.—The need for oil and gasoline for war purposes and the disposition of private interests to interfere with production has brought on a crisis which is likely to result in. some spectacular consequence. It might mean even the commandd earing of all oil fields, wells and means of production and transportation for the period of the war. Months ago a leasing bill was worked through the house and senate and sent to a non-actiye conference committee, where it now reP A shortage of oil measured at 10,000 to 30,000 barrels a day is reported by the oil producers. The oil fields are not being worked as they should be owing to the protracted sued over rights to take oil from lands which have been set aside as naval reserve and lands which have never left the government possesWhat congress will do with the leasing bill depends now on what the president will do with the question whether to commandeer the oil fields and pipe lines.