Bourdieu v. Pacific Western Oil Co.

This is a suit brought by peitioner against respondents to have impressed in his favor a trust in respect of a portion of a lease, executed by the United States, of oil and gas lands in the State of California.

The bill alleges that petitioner, since March, 1919, has been the owner and in possession of certain legal subdivisions of section 30, Township 21 South, Range 17 East, Mount Diablo Meridian, Fresno County, California, embracing 322.89 acres; that by reason of such ownership, he has been at all times since February 26, 1920, entitled to a preference right for a permit to prospect on…