The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-30
INSPECT PETROLEUM.
,pr SHOULD BE 4 STATE Law
ron THE TESTING or OILS.
IN Expert on That suhjcot-Ihe
pspscr IN the Flash r0'"'-.o""O'
.-.,,oo from the Secretary OF state.

mar Mckinney recently received
Indication from the Secretary Of
Air. w. c.. Gresham, stating that
.-,,.,s Ambassador has applied 10
' ,..ar,mcnt for information IN regard
l 49,. ,,osr,cnce Of the States relative
,....r from petroleum, and PROFOUND
,.s following interrogatories;
' r,. standard Of fash point IN your
and whether It varies in the diff
,.-s,t cities?
can you give me or refer me 70
..,retics Of petroleum accidents?
any t.. there been amy lowering OF lhe
-s ,f safety iu recent years. II
tbere been an increase OK ac-
n. here cmccut gas inspection through
~, ,aar state?
,+' -.r you furnish the name and ad-
..f .-e scientific man who has gone
f. matter OF flash point, or ,reIer
81, amy report or other literature on
. srbIe.t. with the name OF the pup
-.. natter was referred by the cover
90. Ur Henry Frochling. analytical
...-f4y sent in his reply 90 the several
..rs wherein he states the following:
"t rrere is no Jaw IN Virginia, or,
existence. not enforced, in reference
D.. Cash points Of petroleum. Several
...s hive ordinances regulating the fire
.. 20 lurumu oils The city ordinance
~ richmond specifies that no burning
adj must la sold having a lower "hre
.'... nar 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
- cannot refer TO any statistics OF
,tr.Ieum accidents.
"a There has been no change I'm the
rv fn~ Che city OF Richmond recently.
"a There is no state petroleum inspec-
t- Do .Ha state Of Virginia
u A cons. derable number OF tests and
.,.a-.narts ON the flashing point" Of
h.rIre oils have been made I'm my Ia
t.-.try by me. or under my supervision.
d.. my assistants from these i have ar
r.aH 90 the conclusion that the flashing
-r- and not the fire test should be
,es criterion Of burning oil, and that
t. f--EIre point should not be below
Id degrees Fahrenheit
~ have frequently received burning oils
Or domination. which. while the fire
..r aas not below 40 Fahrenheit,
.s.-. 90 the large amount of heavy oil
present. flashed strongly as low as 30
a~ars Fahrenheit. and some few sam
r.s even lower. Such oils are dangerous,
and should not be allowed 20 be sold.
n deem State petroleum inspection
I.w uaseI upon the flashing point OF
the au to be offered for sale. Of great
Importance
The matter was also referred TO Mr..
6 West. the special agent Of the
standard OH Co. in this city. who an
sters questions ]. and Z I'm a similar
mar as Rr. Henry FrOehhng. In re-
ference 90 question he has the following
% say:
This question we cannot answer de-
frteIy. There has been an attempt on
ua part OF the reputable oil rehners
throughout the country 20 advance the
standard OF oil over previous years, and
q. put ont O finer article than was sold In
tues past. There are. however q good
many wildcat rehners now. who, On the
absence OF any State law 90 that eject
are putting out very lOW-test, dangerous
goods"
Question IS answered by Mr.. West
fn the following manner:
we would refer you 10 Dr. Henry
Froehlng. Of this city. whose office is
al 18TH and Cary streets who IS probably
the best posted authority I'm the South
ON The subject or OILS. he having made this
v'h his business and understands the
sitter thoroughly"
Private Secretary Mcleod has sent
copies Of the two communications TO the
safe Department