Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 6 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 49

To what extent, in the laying out and directing of a great enterprise, new and approved ideas as to the great value of sanitary methods and appliances and the importance of doing everything possible to make the laborer comfortable and happy, may be employed is well illustrated by the Shell Company of California, with their headquarters at Oilfields. Their camp there is said to be the most modern, sanitary and best arranged oil camp in the United States and perhaps in the world. The streets are well-plotted and the buildings up to date, lighted by electricity and heated by gas. There is a well-stocked general merchandise store; a large dining hall with auxiliary dining rooms; a large and fully equipped club house, and a modern hospital. For this plant, not only are the managers of the company to be thanked for their public spirit, but the company's workers as well have had their honorable part.

The oil property and camp were started about 1900 by Balfour Guthrie and Company, although William Mills Graham before this had started on Section 27, selling out afterward to that firm. Then he was made superintendent for them and began the development here. Finally, the California Oilfields, Ltd., was incorporated, and this gradually purchased the small companies around there until it became the largest company operating on what is known as the East Side Field.

About August, 1913, the Shell Company purchased the California Oilfields, and took over all of their holdings; and they have continued there developments on a large scale, at the same time maintaining the excellence of their buildings; and the result is a prosperous and happy town of more than 600 population. The company even have their own dairy, poultry and hog ranch, and also conduct a large commissary department, with a bakery and a boarding house. There is an abundance of natural gas on the different leases, and this is used in the production of steam, gas and electric power, as well as for heating and lighting purposes. A small refinery is operated, and a compressor gasoline plant.

The company has its own ice factory and refrigerating plant, an excellent water system, and they keep up a modern sewer system, with septic tanks and garbage destroyers. There is also a garage sufficient to house some thirty-seven cars as well as trucks, and stables adequate for the accommodation of eighty or more horses and mules; a large, modern machine shop, with boiler and tank shops, and spacious storehouses and offices designed according to the best architectural and decorative standards; and besides the community buildings for men, there is a large club house with billiard parlors, reading room, ice-cream parlor, library, etc. The large swimming pool affords both recreation and the facilities for preserving health and increasing happiness. In summer time an air dome provides for moving pictures, and in winter such entertainment is given in the lecture hall. There are also grounds for both base- and football.

The school district is named Oil King, and there is a commodious modern schoolhouse with five teachers.

E. S. Durward is the present superintendent, and he is intensely interested in keeping the camp up to the highest standard and introducing improvements whenever they can be made. He never fails to inquire into any proposals for improvements, recommends the best, and puts the matter before the proper authorities. The result is that the employees stick by the company, many having been there for eight or ten years.

In order that the company, employees and staff may keep in touch with each other, a Welfare Committee whose members are elected from amongst the employees by popular vote meets once a month with the superintendent. In these meetings matters affecting to the comfort and efficiency of the employees, improvements, safeguards against accident and any other matters beneficial to the employees and the company are discussed and settled.

Mr. E. S. Durward was born in Scotland, and in that country he studied and became a mechanical engineer. Later he took up the study of mining engineering, and in the oil fields in Egypt followed his profession for three years. Returning to England, he remained there for a short time; but the attractions of California drew him hither, and in 1913 he reached the Pacific Coast. Shortly after his arrival he entered the service of the California Oilfields, Ltd., as assistant superintendent; and in August, 1913, when these holdings were taken over by the Shell Company, he remained with the new proprietors in the same position. Under the superintendence of Mr. W. C. McDuffie, in the spring of 1918, he was made Field Superintendent for the company, succeeding Mr. McDuffie who had become general superintendent.