Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-15
SAFE OIL.
Inspector Morton Seeking Light
Attorney General HeiskeIPs Con.
struetIOn OF the Inspection Act.

Inspector Morton Seeking Light
Attorney General HeiskeIPs Con-
struetIOn OF the Inspection Act.
The Inquiries given below were ad-
dressed by Coal Oil Inspector Morton, of
this city, to Gov. Porter, who referred them
to Attorney General Heiskell. Inspector
Morton seems 70 be doing all in bis power
10 establish the Illuminating oil trade on
basis Of safety to the public, and it will be
noticed that the Attorney Generals con-
structfOn Of the mode prescribed for testing
increases the present fire-test between six
and fifteen degrees, thus making the article
that much safer for the consumer. Its ef-
feet will be to have the best oil, IT none,
sold in our market.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALS CONsTRUC-
TON OF THE LAW.
NASHVILLE, May 10, IS75.-TO His
Excellency Jas. d. Porter, Governor: As
there seems TO be some irregularity in the
inspection Of coal oil under the recent law
entitled San act to authorize the appoint
ment Of inspectors Of Illuminating oils and
fluids" owing to different interpretations
Of the law by different inspectors, would
respectfully ask your construction of the
law on the following points, viz:
Question 1.-ShOGld oil once inspected
in the State be subject TO inspection when
sent to other points in the State? And if
oil is received by any person in any town
in the State for any manufacturer or dealer
to be distributed to other points in the
Safe, should such oil be inspected where
first received.
Answer NO need to re-inspect; the
inspection may take place where received
or where sold, as most convenient.
Question 2.-When oil is once inspected
by The barrel, and the dealer sells such oil
in packages to other dealers, should such
packages be inspected and branded before
retaIled TO the consumer?
Answer New packages must be
branded. The Inspector might be present
at the change and brand, or the new pack
age would have TO be Ie-inspected.
Question 3. The statute, section ?, pro-
vides that all such Illuminating oils and
fluids that will ignite or burn at a less
temperature than 120 degrees, Fahrenheit,
shall be branded "Teiected," and all that
will stand the fire test of 120 degrees,
Fahrenheit, shall be branded approved
Standard Oii.o ! his is interpreted by
some inspectors to mean the flash point, or
the point at which the gas will ignite or
burn and 90 out. Ohio, Michigan and
other States adopt that mode of testing.
Other inspectors take the burning point Of
the oil, or the point at which the oil will |
ignite or burn over the surface without |
going out. Kentucky, Pennsylvania and |
other States adopt this mode.
Iwish to guide my course Of inspections |
by the true intent and meaning Of the |
Legislature.
Answer 3.-The statute using the words |
ignite or burn, if it either igRiteS or burns |
it is within the prohibition. The 'tfdSh /
point" would therefore seem to be the /
proper test. My idea is that the tempera-
ture at which intlammable gas arises is that /
At which explosion may occur. When, a
fash will occur, mixture of air will pro-
duce explosion. If so, that ought to be the /
test. As the object is 10 secure safety to /
the citizen in the use Of these oils, that /
should prevail which will most /
secure them. Yours, very truly, |
j. b. HEIsKELL,
Attorney General.
John w. Morton, Jr.,
Inspector of Oil for Nashville.
Some little time should be given manu-
factuTers and dealers in coal oil, to regulate
heir supplies for this market so as to con-
form to the change in the mode of inspec-
lion as suggested by Attorney General
Heiskell. On and after July !, 1870, 1 shall
adopt the clash test" in my inspections Of
,Oal oil. j. ". MORTON, JR.,
Inspector Of OiI>or Nashville.