Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-02-24
WELLSBURG.
Taking Steps to Protect the Town Against
Further Explosions of Natural Gas,


Taking Steps to Protect the Town Against
Further Explosions ofNatural Cas-
Special TO the Register.
KElLsBURG, W. VA, February 23.-The
excitement over the recent gas explosion
has not abated in the least. The people
are vet aroused to a degree that almost
borders on panic and the cool headed cit
liens are using every effort to protect per.
sons and property and provide against any
repetition of the recent disaster. The fol.
lowing proclamation was issued by the
mayor to-day:
To the citizens of Wellsburg-I have
called special session of council, to be held
in the Court House today, Monday, Feb
ruary %, at o'clock p. m, to take action
regarding the protection Of lives and prop
erty from explosions by gas.
| earnestly request full attendance Of
the citizens to suggest to council what must
be done. &. W. MCCLEARY,
Mayor.
The streets were crowded with people all
day. and promptly to a minute at the time
indicated, the Court House filed to over
flowing. On motion of Benjamin Harvey
G. W. McCleary was called upon to pre-
side, who stated that it had been suggested
that Council take measures to protect the
town from any further injury from gas ex-
plosions; that it had been determined to
call meeting Of the citizens to hear sug-
gestions as to the plan to be pursued. The
opportunity was earerly taken advantage
of, anu several persons Spp00Se in tsvor Of
immediate and stingent measures being
taken to procure safety.
A motion by Benjamin Harvey that
Council be asked to make frequent vent
valves to allow. waste gas to escape, was
freely discussed and rejected.
A motion TO request the gas company to
lay new pipes and place them above ground
was also .ost By this time the excitement
became so great that cries were heard, Of
shut the gas off"
A motion to adjourn was lost. A mo-
ton to lay pipes over the portion Of the
town affected by the explosion, was lost.
After more discussion, Mr.. Palmer made q
motion that Council take such action in
the premises as may be necessary to secure
safety. This motion carried unanimously,
and the meeting adjourned with feeling of
satisfaction. The Mayor called meeting
of Council to take immediate action in the
premises. The following ordinance was re-
ported:
An ordinance to secure the citizens of
Wellsburg, as far as possible, from an injury
BY FIRE, and to prevent accidents by fire or
explosion within said town.
Be it ordained, Thst it shall be the duty
of the Wellsburg Gas Company to have con.
stantly in attendance at the valve in the
north end Of Charles street, at the intersec-
ton of Fleet street, where the pressure or
supply is regulated, or such other places as
the pressure may be regulated, some person,
whose duty it shall be TO keep the supply oi
gas at all times regulated, so that pressure
in the high pressure pipes shall not exceed
ten pounds per square inch, and in low
pressure pipes not exceed three pounds
per square inch, under penalty of fine
Of from s. to $50.
Be it further ordained that the Wellsburg
Gas Company shall Immediately cause
escape pipes of two inches in size to be
placed over all gas mains at distances not
greater than twelve feet apart to extend two
inches above the surface Of the ground, aud
shall employ not less than twenty-five labor
ers to do the work as speedily as possible,
and upon default the gas company shall be
estopped from allowing gas to pass through
such mains until they are made safe.
The third section provides for the more
particular provision of escape for leaking
gas
The fourth section proVidesfor the inspee-
ton Of cellars and dwellings and their venti.
lation, TO free them from escaping gas.