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BULLETIN 102, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 
an unsound basis. The exploration for petroleum is guided by the 
principle of gambling. The extraction of petroleum is dominated by 
the principle of robbery , 1 The utilization of petroleum is conditioned, 
in part, by the principle of perversion. Society has put its ban upon 
these principles as applied to superficial matters. How long before 
their unsoundness will be recognized in respect to a basic necessity 
of life ? 2 
1 Not robbery, but the principle of robbery; competitive extraction of petroleum within 
single reservoirs is legalized and in good repute. 
2 The writers desire to acknowledge their indebtedness for valuable information to the 
publications of the U. S. Bureau of Mines and the U. S. Geological Survey, as well as 
to personal communications from many individuals, including Carl H. Beal, Chester 
Naramore, John D. Northrop, David T. Day, H. S. Dennison, and R. D. George. 
