Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-28
THE COAL OIL CONTROVERSY

EDS. RECORD. UNION: Perceivipg that the
oil controversy lie assuming proportions that
seriously threaten tie continuance Of the
business upon the basis necessary for its sue
cessful prosecution in this city, I desire the
privilege of stating few facts alive to the
safety of storing quantities Of coal oil ia ex-
cess OF the amount regulated by an crlinance
product of petroleum, is distinctly different
in its nature from the crude oil, the volatile
and explosive properties, viz: naph.hs, ben
zine, gasoline AID their various combinations,
being extracted during the process of distille-
ton. leaving the product coal oil. which ia
positively as safe a5 the many other oi.s and
liquids, against the storing of which there is
no obstructive law. The above assertions l
feel Ia e position to make, as l represent at
this placs the largest manufacturers Of coal
oil in the world, whose years OF experience
have demonstrated the practical safety of high
test oil. Unfortunately the idsa is prevalent
that & occasional fires and explosions which
occur at the East in rehneries, are as lisble 20
happen here from the storing o! refiped
oil. Now this is incorrect, as these dangers
are only incident to the process OF
distillstion when the crude oil is heated
W tSkItcEdlIIe duu DS IDTo lis u2DgSr-
Gus gases and volatile CHS are eliminated. To
be sure, the oil will burn as any other oil will,
provided there is some conductor but what
We assert IL, that under the ususl conditions
that Is, stored in metal cans in any guam
bty-coal oil is practically safe commodity.
And to support this | might cite numerous
instances. The following occur 20 me: Last
summer o. Promis 4 Co., merchants of San
Jose, had several thousand gallons 10 cases,
-. l,.,f, ~,
uloas part of the city. From some CAUSE up-
known the building caught fire, and fell on
aad around the pile of cases, setting fire to
them and burning the boxes off. The engines
arrived IN time to see shout the end of it, Of
course qusncbing ali firsbrands that might
continue to keep the mass burning. The
owner lost some fifty gallons, and, after tax
ing eff the top tier spd tiers on sides of the
pile. found the balance unipjured. a similar
accident occurred to the Continental Oil Co
at Stockton, some time age, which resulted in
the loss of their warehouse, bus clmpara-
lively no oil. L can also refer to the house of
G. H. KIe5bs & Co., of this city, which was
burned out in 1868. They had several hun.
dred gallons OF coal oil in cases, and I unde,-
stand that the oil in cans was about all that
was saved from q large general stock in his
line. These arguments are not brought for
ward as reason why the law should not be
enforced, nor do l consider ignorance of il
al excuse, but that this same lay should
have remained imperative for so long a time
clearly indicates something defective in lis
construction. besides giving new capital 20
warning of the risk incurred in the expendi:-
ure of large sums TO conduct an honorable en-.
terpIise. And that the people are clamorcus
for It's enforcement, or that they have become
suddenly aware of the immense danger, SO
called, is hardly borne out by such en- express
sion of intelligent opinion as was submitted
TO the Board of Trustees st their msetirg
this morning. 1t is true there was counter
petition submitted, and as good citizens we
do not wish to interfere with the lights. in.
teres;s or privileges of our EeighboEs, hut think
that if the ordinance ia not repealed
such modification of il may he made
that we IN continue business at least near
the water front. far removed from the heart
of the city. where the same business hiss been
conducted for SO many years without danger
or detrimens to any one. And think I may
say that we have the hearty consent of cur
nei2hbors.
Any law that would comp=l ia TO reunaye
outside of the city would entail SO much
additional expense. being thus removed from
the shipping and receiving depot, that we
would have to remove 70 a moSa favored
locality, as It is only uuder the most favor.
abba conditions that the business can be Gor-
ductsd az Sacramento on profitable basic
These few facts are presented both with
view to dispel, as fsr rs possible, the idea
that coal Gil is as dangerous "a often thought,
or that tie oil men have assumed defiant
aud aggressive attitude towa IDS the laws of
this city. j. G. HARVEY, Agent
Standard OIL Company.