The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-27
SHUT OUT BAD OIL.
A Bill to Require the Inspec-
ton Of IlluminantS.
DANGERS or Low GRADE OILS
Many Fires Caused By Explosion Of OIL
which Flashes 1t Low Temperature
Board Of Trade Bill.

due to the explosion of lamps has caused
the Board of Trade to take steps to secure
legislation against the sale of inferior oil.
The most notable recent case of fire
being caused by an oil-lamp explosion was
that at the residence of II. c. Ward, the
engineer, who resides on Columbia, be-
tween Seventh and Eighth streets, on
February 2. The lamp exploded after
burning for about an hour, enveloped Miss
Ward in mass of flames, which were ex-
tinguished with difficulty, and not until
she was badly scorched, and also scorched
the piano. Mr. Ward had the oil tested,
and found that it had been throwing off a
vapor at temperature of about IS degrees
Fahrenheit and flashed at less than 80
degrees. This was Pratt's Astral oil, pro-
claimed to be 1.-THE best in use, warranted
not to explode, prepared especially for the
California market
Mr.. Ward told the facts to r. HI. Goldie,
secretary of the Board of Trade, who
promptly brought the subject before that
body. 1t was found that there was no law
gerous illuminating oil. though most
states have such laws. In California no
oil can be sold legally which will not stand
a flash test at ITO degrees, in Oregon the
requirement is the same, in Michigan the
limit is 40 and in some states 1t is even
higher. Thus Washington can be swamped
with Oil which has been shut out of other
states as dangerous.
Mr.. Goldie was instructed to draft bill
for submission to the legislature providing
for the inspection of oil and forbidding
the sale Of that which flashes below 10
degrees. He accordingly drew a bill,
hi h vrynu fNvr AoH 10
yesterday, with the following letter from
George B. Adair, president Of the Board Of
Trade:
Inclosed you will please find bill entitled
.An act relating to the inspection and sale OF IL
Illuminating oils, etc..
presentation of bills is over but as this is mat
ter OF the utmost importance to eyery one in the
state, we feel sure that you will give it your
ds
are caused solely on account OF the inferior
quality OF oil shipped to this market. The
Eastern states, Oregon and California each have
q similar law, and on account of our being
without one, many of the oil companies have
been using this state as dumping ground for
their heir products roc Of lower grade
bill by which any but the direct consumer will
be benefited, and when you take into consider
alton that If it does not come before the House
this session, two years must necessarily elapse
before the same can become law, the percent
age of lamentable deaths through burning. and
the destruction of valuable property by fire, will
be very largely increased. Trusting that you
will be able to place the same before the Senate,
and thanking you in advance for your kind eff
forts In our behalf, etc.
Following are the provisions of the bill:
Section one forbids tho mixing of naptha and
illuminating oils, except for the purpose of re-
manufacturing, and the sale or Offering for sale
OF illuminating oils made from coal or petro-
leum which Will evaporate gas under 40 de-
grees Fahrenheit, or ignite at temperature of
less than 10 degrees, to be aseertained by the
application OF Tagliabue's, or some other ap-
proved instrument Any person 30 doing is sub
ject for each ofense TO fine of not over 500, or
imprisonment for not over one month, or both,
and shall be liable for the damage suffered by
any person By the explosion of such oil, or such
oil shall be forfeited and sold one-ha1f the pro-
ceeds to go to the state and half TO the inforer.
Section two declares that illuminating oils
made from coal or petroleum. and which ignite
below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, shall be deemed
poses
Section three provides that the municipal an.
thorities OF every city and town in the state,
citizens, shall appoint annually one or more
suitable persons not interested in the sale of
crude petroleum, or in the sale or manufacture
of their products, to be inspectors thereof, and
may fix their compensation, to be paid BY the
persons requiring their services. Such inspect
fraud or deceit or culpable negligence shall be
fined not over 500, or imprisoned for not over
one month, or both.
Sec. 4. No person shall keep for sale or sell at
retail or sell for illuminating purposes any
kerosene, refined petroleum or any product of
petroleum without having it approved and in
spected by the inspectors Any person violating
this provision 10 subject to fine and imprison-
ment as provided in the previous sections
Several other fires have been directly
traced to explosions of oil lamps, due to
the bad quality of the oil. For short
time this winter, when it was impossible
to secure gas or electric light, the Safe De-
post vaults were lighted with oil lamps,
and no less than five lamps exploded.