The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-15
FOR THE STORAGE OF OIL.
A Plan That win Lessen the
Danger Of Fire.
Exclusive Warehouse Shouid BE
Built by the City-Expense
TO Merchants Trifiing-

The question Of providing safe and
suitable storage for inaammahis oils
and other eomeustibles within = city
limits, which IS under consideration
By the City Council, is receiving much
careful consideration on the part OF
business men, and especially the mem
bers OF the Board OF Trade and Cham
Der Of Commerce The plan proposed
ny Chic Engineer Josiah Collins, now
under consideration by the fire and
water committee Of the Common
Council, was published in the Posr-
IsrELLrsESeEg OF January 20. This
method, with 3 few notifications and
changes, has met with general appro-
baton. President George b. Adair. of
the Board OF Trade. IN speaking of the
matter to Il reporter. a day or two ago.
made the plans OF Mr.. Collins more
definite by suggesting suitable site
for the oil warehouse.
There is lot on the fat at the foot
of Eighth street that wonld be Just the
place. said Mr.. Adair This prop
erty belongs TO the Columbia & Puget
Sound railroad company, and is o4iv
500 or 600 feet from the side track of
that company's road As ali inaam-
mable ellis come in by rail. the cost of
placing the oil at the door of this ware
house would only be the nominal
charge OF S per car for switching,
which is less than IS now paid in dray-
age from the cars to the warehouses !:
in fact, the cost would be less than a
cent per case.
do you mean that the city should
buy this lot. build the warehouse and
go into the storage business on its own
account. Mr.. Adair?'
Eyes; that's about the plan would
favor. The city could buy the land or
secure the lease at reasonable figure
for a term of years. The building
should be fire-proof and SO constructed
that there would be no danger of he
oil seeping out and impregnating the
surrounding premises The building
should be plainly marked. so that in
case OF general confiagration the
people would know where oil is stored.
The storage of oil in place OF this
kind would cost no more than under
the present system, or, rather,
the present lack OF system. The
city should place the warehouse under
competent management and lease
compartments to oil handlers. 1t is
estimated by member of the Council
ire and water committee that there is
never less than 5000 cases of oil
stored in Seattle all the time, and it is
likely the Standard Oil Company has
that quantity on hand all The time.
Now suppose the city should charge
the nominal storage OF cent per case
per month, il would yield a revenue OF
$3.50 per month, which would more
than pay all expenses and still furnish
cheaper oil storage than at present.
No merchant could object to this:
they would ell be placed on an
equal footing; they would be pre-
vided with cheap storage; their fire
risks and consequently their insurance
rates would be iessened; the location
OF the warehouse would make it much
more convenient than the places down
along the water front and it would be
for the general good which should
be, and | think is the first considera-
ton of every business man in Seattle
| think this plan will meet with but
little opposition. OF course it is open
to improvements, and a general discus
sion OF the question will be good
thing