The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-02-11

Extracts from Perry AveriIl's He-
port as state Inspector of Iiiusni-
mating Oils.

| poft hs ssate shsFeesor ot biiumt-
mating oils.
Mr.. Perry Averill, Of Jackson, has
just issued his annual report on oils
for the year 1878 from which we take a
few extracts of interest TO the public:
The total number of barrels inspect
ed has been 1874, the average capaci-
ty OF which has been over fifty gallons.
OF this number 77,49i have been ap-
proved, and $50 rejected.
The total amount Of fees collected
was S9,067.00. / have thirty-eight
deputies aiding me in the work. Here
follows list in which the name OF G.
Hines appears as deputy inspector OF
Jackson.
Each deputy collects and retains the
fees for the work done by him. Ihave
personally inspected and branded H.
$50 barrels OF the average capacity be-
fore mentioned, and have received as
fees therefor 81, 1873. In the proper
discharge Of my duties, have expend-
ed in travelling, and in efforts TO bring
offenders TO justice, and in other ways
connected with the office, over four
hundred dollars.
There could he found, perhaps, no
better evidence OF the wisdom Of this
law, than the comparative immunity IL
has afforded from accidents, and the
consequent loss of life aud destruction
OF property. During the past year
there has been but one human life lost
by the explosion Of Illuminating oil,
and that occurred in consequence OF
using oil below the test required by
the statute. The case was that Of lady
residing in the township OF Bedford,
Monroe county, and occurred on the
81 Of February, 1873. from the explo-
sion OF kerosene lamp. She was us
ing oil purchased in Ohio, and which
was below the Michigan standard.
One other case, which occurred at
Grand Rapids March 10th last. was re-
ported in the papers as occasioned by
the explosion OF kerosene lamp. Up
on investigation, however, il was ascer-
tanned that there was no explosion
The oil used was Michigan legal test.
The lady had prepared for bed. having
on only her night clothes, and with the
lamp in her hand fell. breaking il, and
scattering the oil over her clothing,
which ignited and was completely
burned from her body. resulting in in
juries which proved fatal.
There have been few fires caused
by lamp explosion, only one OF which
was in a case where the oil used was
up TO the standard required by law
This latter case occurred Feb. %, 1873,
in the house Of James Covert, at East
Saginaw. have learned the following
facts explanatory OF this occurrence
The lamp In use at the time was large
hand lamp, with an old burLer which
had been in use about four years. The
tube was fiat, only about half an inch
long, and spread in the middle 10 near
ly twice its original and proper width.
The lamp was filled and lighted early
in tue evening, and on the family's re-
firing was turned down low, and per-
mitted TO burn until about midnight,
when Mr.. Covert arose to go out, took
the lamp up hurriedly and carried il TO
the kitchen, set ii on the table. opened
the outside door, letting a strong wind
blow in on the lamp, then passing out
closed the door quickly, cutting off
the inrushing current of air, and had
got but about ten feet from the door
when the lamp exploded. He returned
and found the lamp broken, the oil
scattered over basket of clothes and
box Of kindlipg-wood, and all on fire.
In this instance, il would seem that
nearly all ths conditions favorable TO
an explosion we're combined, by negli-
gence in the use OF so defective burn
er and in the handling OF the lamp, 10
bring about such a result. But, on
the whole, il would seem that by main
ing our present test, we secure 10 our
people almost perfect protection in the
use OF these illuminating cils from ev-
erything but the most culpable negli-
gence; and il is the belief Of the lu-
spector that Legislation should be di-
rected rather to the perfecting Of our
present law and in the provision Of
more adequate means for its enforce
ment, and not in any wise diminishing
the safeguards already provided by
lowering the test or otherwise impair
ing the efficiency OF the act.
On the whole, the law as now enforc-
eel reduces the chances OF accident and
| diminishes the dangers heretofore at
tending the use Of these Illuminating
! oils almost 20 n minimum, is evident
from the security actually enjoyed.
And, as a rule, dealers have manifested
most commendable disposition TO
conform 10 the law; they rarely at
tempt to place any obstacles in way OF
the proper discharge OF duty on the
part OF inspectors. and almost always
treat them very courteously.
We should take no step backward.
Other States are following our exam
Pile; and believe in no case has there
been shown any tendency to diminish
State supervision or abandon whole
some regulations. On the contrary,
the tendency is 10 guard more and
more carefully the sale and use OF these
infismmable oils, in the interests OF
personal and property security, and to
follow the lead OF Michigan in requir-
/ ing a safe test. During the past year
Ohio has increased her standard forty
degrees. I would not suggest the
raising OF ours, but would most hearth
ly recommend the adoption OF ade-
quate measures 10 secure universal
compliance with regulations so useful
and necessary.