The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-19
CnInmItIsn from Coal OIL.

(Ffom the philadelphia LeoeN'l
Goal oil burnlrgs" and distractions
have become so frequent, and some oil
them so distressing, as TO demand careful
revision Of the whole subject. These
casualties, 80 far as they are caused by
the use Of lamps, may be divided into
two classes: First, those resulting from
dangerous compounds made from some Of
the cheaper products Of the diGtillation Of
petroleum; and second, those fairly attri'
butRble TO carelessness In the handling Of
lamps, cans, and tolls" or fluids
whether the latter is good or bad. The
latter class Is OF course beyond the reach
of legal regulation: They can be guard.
ed against only by the careful training Of
the persons who use the oils for lighting
purposes, and this must be the
work Of each family for itself
But the liability 10 accident" or ex
plosion can be reduced to reasonable
safety be well. framed laws regulating TIC
quality Of the tolls" or Fluids" manulac-
tured, stored or offered for sale for illu
minating purposes, subjecting them tC
rigid and real inspection, making it ar
indictable offence In the manufacturer OF
vender TO make or expose for sale any
Illuminating fluid that Infripges or at
tempts to cvade the law, ind by holding
the Inspector to penal accountability ioE
neglect or violation Of his duties. We
have no such law now. Tho inspection
law of this city was framed for thOpur-
pose Of making an Office, with lucrative
pay attached, for the first Inspector; and
this being the principal object, very little
attention was given to those parts OF II
which should have taken care Of the pub
lie safety. The law Is, therefore, nearly
useless, and has for many years been In
operative as q protection.
There are two bills pending, one In the
House and ono in the Senate. Thus far
We have seen only the unofficial reports OF
them. Before either Is passed, the Com.
mittee 10 whom 1t may be referred should
make themselves masters Of the subject.
They should inquire into the cause oil coal
oil or "luid' casualties. They should
make themselves thoroughly familiar
with the component parts that enter into
the composition Of illuminating fluids
the tricksand ways by which the cheaper
lighter and more dangerous products o.
petroleum distillation can be disguised &C
as to simulate superior qualities, or tc
appear safe when they are really
as pcrilOus rs gunpowder. They
should also get capable scientific
information as 10 the conditions under
which the vapor Of tho various
Installations and combinations will
ignite and explode when mixed with at
mOspheric air. Having acquired famil
iarily with and mastery Of these and Othel
essential particulars OF the subject, the
bill they draw to guard against future
calamitics should be made to cover "COal
OF" petroleum and every product, distil.
lation, or residuum Of either or both OF
them, and every other highly volatile and
inilammablc spirit that enters into the
composition of illuminating fluids under
any name or designation; and, having done
this, they should get good legal advice so
rs 10 make certain that the bill they have
drafted will be good in law and effective
for the purposes 1t is intended to serve.
This done, the consumers ofOur usefu
and valuable Pennsylvania product will
be comparatively free from danger, and
tho product itself be In less peril Of being
thrown out of use. The subject is too
important, and tho interest involved too
great, to be triilGd with any longer.