The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-02-27
PFO'e"''. ion Against Dangerous Burn
ing Fluids

Hanything useful could be expected
from the present Legislature we should
be inclined to suggest a little judicious
Iepislatiou on the subject Of burning
fluids. There is an act Of Congress on
the subject. 1t prescribes heavy penalties
for adulterating coal oil or selling oil
which is not up 10 the prescribed stand
ard. limo oil below this standard were
sold, hundreds OLIVES lost through lamp
explosions evory year would be saved
But the United States officials whose
duty it is to prosecute offences against
United States statutes pay no attention al
all to the constant violations Of the law
referred to, and it Is dead letter. Sim
liar legislation by States and municipal
tiles is needed to protect tho ignorant and
careless from the disastrous consequences
ofburniug impure and iuiiammable oil
Good coal oil will not explode unless
heated above ITO degrees, and in ordin-
ary use this never occurs. II by State
or municipal legislation It were made the
business OF local officers to look after and
punish the vending OF adulterated OIL
there would soon be none in the market,
and there would be an end Of the kerosene
tragedies that are now Of such frequent
occurrence.
We are led 10 make these remarks by
finding in the Pittsburgh papers an &C
count OF fatal lamp explosion there
Saturday, by which man named James
A. Mccain was burned TO death. In this
case the matter was not allowed TO end
there. A Cor6ner's jury entered into an
investigation, and rendered verdict with
recommendation that might probably
be acted on in every city, viz:
"That deceased, James A. Mccain
came 10 his death February IL, 1873, from
the effects OF burns by the explosion OF a
carbon oil lamp In his hand, on the morn
ing Of February II. From the testimony
before the jury, 1t was proved that the oil
was procured at the grocery store Of
Steele & Hart, corner OF Second avenue
and Ross street, and was manufactured BY
Elkins, BY s. Co., Of the Riverside REIN
erY: 1t was tested, and found TO be OF q
most dangerous nature, and the jury re-
commended that the proper authorities a.
once institute proceedings against the
manufacturers OF this dangerous fluid
And the Jury would further recommend
the appointment of q competent person Il
inspect the quality of oils and burning
fluids sold by retail dealers in the county
Of Allegheny"
The oil in this case flashed at Gl deg
and burned freely at 65 deg, and wa
more dangerous than gunpowder. VIVA
adds to tho danger from adulterated oil il
that It's cheapness recommends 1t to thu
majority Of consumers, and that those leas
aware OF the peril are most likely to b,
exposed 10 it. We believe the oils manu-
featured In this city are generally If no
always good. Nevertheless they ough
all 10 be inspected before put upon tn
market. And so should all imported oils
We are not in favor generally OF the crea
ton Of new offices, but We believe that il
the absence Of State legislation Council
might, with advantage to the people G
this city, provide for the appointment Q
some competent person, at compensa
ton proportional to the work, to inspec
oil tho kerosene manufactured or oiFere
for sale in the city.