180 I. C. WHITE HISTORY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS 



liquid fuel in naval warfare were so impressive to Great Britain and 

 France that they did not even await the termination of that titanic 

 struggle before sending their shrewdest representatives in statecraft 

 to Persia to secure the Anglo-Persian treaty excluding all but their own 

 nationals from any participation in the development and exploitation 

 of these potentially great oil fields. Dr. George Otis Smith, the dis- 

 tinguished Director of the U. S. Geological Survey, and his able Chief 

 Geologist, Dr. David White, have sounded a note of alarm which has 

 finally induced our State Department to protest these exclusive treaties. 

 This protest should have been made long ago, before the close of the 

 war, when our wishes would have met with instant attention. It is to 

 be hoped that the new administration that the people have so unani- 

 mously called to the helm of state after March 4 next will see to it that 

 the control of this great industry founded by American genius and 

 initiative, which gave to all the people of the earth a cheaper and better 

 light, whose radiant beams have illuminated every household of the 

 world, shall not pass to other hands except through fair and legitimate 

 competition, and that a treaty concluded with Persia while America 

 was putting all of her resources at the command of Great Britain to 

 save both Britain and France, as well as civilization, from destruction 

 shall not be permitted to shut out our nationals from any share in the 

 development of these rich foreign fields, while we at the same time 

 permit the English, the French, and the Dutch to own and operate any 

 of our lands for oil and gas in every portion of the United States, and 

 of which liberal treatment all these nations are taking great advantage. 



Peak of Production reached 



It is altogether probable that the peak of oil production in the United 

 States has either been attained during the present year or will be reached 

 in 1921. The peak of natural gas production was passed in 1917 and 

 is rapidly declining on its long downward path to inevitable extinction. 

 In spite of the vast waste accompanying its introduction, it has accom- 

 plished a useful purpose in educating many millions of people to the 

 cleanliness and convenience of gaseous fuel. Hence, when natural gas is 

 no longer available, its place will be largely supplied by manufactured 

 gas derived partially from by-product coke ovens, the gas from which 

 source Avas formerly consumed in the wasteful beehive oven process of 

 making coke, along with other products of immense value that are now 

 being recovered and utilized. 



