other reasons, but it is our purpose here only to indicate the effect 
of known supplies on the question of international movements of 
minerals. 
The inclusion of oil among the minerals of Class B, in which 
the country is approximately self-supporting, requires some ex- 
planation and qualification. The United States leads the world in 
its oil production, but it also leads the world in consumption. If 
our exportation of refined products were eliminated we could 
probably get along for some time on the domestic production. As 
it is, imports from other countries, particularly Mexico, have been 
necessary in recent years to balance the export of refined products. 
The industry is on such an efficient basis that the United States is 
able to perform a service to the rest of the world in gathering and 
distributing this material. It seems desirable, in the interest of our 
continued service to the world, that channels of import and export 
be kept open. Looking forward to the future, we are doubtful 
whether the domestic production will long keep up with domestic 
demand; this consideration is an additional reason why channels 
of import should be maintained. 
In the exploration and development of oil, American initiative 
and capital have proved most efficient and should be allowed the 
fullest latitude both at home and abroad, with the purpose of 
insuring adequate supplies for future home consumption and 
supplies for refinement and export to the rest of the world. The 
government can aid in securing and preserving this opportunity. 
Self-interest plays so large a part in asking these opportunities 
for ourselves that we deplore criticism of other countries for asking 
the same for themselves, so far as their resulting activities do not 
impair a fair field for private initiative and competition. 
(C) Certain minerals exist in ihe United States in inadequate 
amounts. The United States will be dependent on foreign sources 
for a considerable fraction of its supply of antimony, asbestos, ball 
clay, kaolin, chalk, chromite, corundum, garnet, certain grades of 
graphite, grinding pebbles, manganese, mercury, mica, monazite, 
Naxos emery, nitrates, potash, precious stones, pumice, tungsten, 
vanadium, and zirconium. 
"54