Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-28
NON EXPLOSIVE

A committee, appointed 8 few weeks since
in Philadelphia for the purpose of "examining
and investigating the causes OF CONGREGATIONS
and the most efficient modes of their proven
tion," have just made their report, which is
one OF exceeding interest, and adapted as well
to the latitude c; Boston as to that of Phila-
delphia. 1t takes the ground that the major
ity of fires IN large cities are caused BY the
use of burning fluids; not always from the
carelessness of the users, but more frequent
~ from the combustible or explosive nature
OF the particular fluid used.
The efforts of inventors to devise some
means By which a good illuminating agent
can be manufactured at cheap rate have
been spurred by the Development of the pc
troleum industry, and a multitude of plans
and processes have been tried by which petro-
leum oils can be made valuable for illuminat-
ing purposes Althese various oils are COM
posed OF the elements Of carbon and hydrogen,
and range by ipperceptib,e degrees from
those which are light and infiammablc to
those which are heavy and will burn only at
| n high temperature. The great danger lies
in the use of the lighter kinds, which con-
stan;ly give off a vapor that will readily ignite
from flame at distance. Most of the "pa-
tent oils sold at our groceries and supply
stores are Of this kind, and are the permanent
causes Of continually occurring contiagra-
tions and fatal accidents. Under no crcum-
! stances IS the employ ment of these incendiary
substances so severely 10 be condemned as in
the ordinary hand-lamp employed in nearly
every hoas, hold.
Tie a}a4o>t daily publication Of "2oal oil
accder,, are not to he explained away by
charging cArciesSness, after the reading OF
the tanula:ed statement in the report of the
results of the analyses of various specimens
of petroleum oils by chemical process. OF
twsnty-siX specimens of oils purchased from
various dealers in that city-the same M are
sold in Boston and New England citics-thc
majority were found to be dangerously in
flammable, the burning point Of several being
tifty-four degrees Fahrenheit. Without ex-
ception, these oils were advertised and war
ranted by the dealers as safe AMI "nou-eS-
plosiye." OF the great variety of these COM
pounds recommended for heating and cook
ing purposes, not one was found TO be safe.
In the course of the report some interest.
ing facts are cited with regard TO fires in the
larger cities directly tracesble 10 explosive
oils. In the city of Baltimore during the
last year there were sixty-niue fires caused
in this way; in New York, in the same period
and from the same cause. there were two
hundred and three fires. In Philadelphia,
there we're as officially snounced, fifty nine
fires during the year caused BY petroleum
and its products. No other single cause pro-
duced so many and so destructive conhagra-
tions. Many Of these were attended with
great pecuniary loss, and not few were
accompanied with deplorabla loss Of life.
The Chicago calamity ii will not be forgot
ten, was sscribed TO the same source.
The facts set forth by the report are too
palpable to require proof. There seems but
one remedy available, and that is, TO urge
the legislative bodies OF the various States to
make such amendments to the laws regulating
the sale and inspection ofpetroleum and the
various burning oils manufactured thereirom.
as shall render the inspection of them some
thing beside farce; 10 enact such legisla-
ton as shall positively prohibit the sale or
use OF these dangerous fluids for household,
heating or illuminated purposes, and shall
rgidly and strictly punish any violation Of
the laws so made, whether committed igno-
rantly or Intentionally. By taking such meas
ures as these only can our property and lives
be considered safe, and the uses of kerosene
and its Kindred agents be placed beyond the
pale OF fear and trembling. Boston Globe.