The herald., 1895-07-21
The New Ordinance to Govern
the Oil Industry
BOILERS TO BE WATCHED
A Fire Marshal to Have General
Charge
The Ordinance VIII First Be Submitted to
the Fire Commlssioners-WilI Be
Passed Next Monday

The oil producers have come out victor
ious before the fire and water committee
Of the council, and the Burdette ordi-
nance presented by the property owners
will not be reported for favorable action
tomorrow. The committee yesterday drew
up the following:
In the matter of the ordinance present.
ed by James Burdette, making regulations
for operating oil wells in Ghe oil district,
recommended that it be not adopted, but
recommend that an ordinance be prepar-
ed regulating this industry, and that
fire marshal be appointed to enforce The
regulations that may be adopted.
The fire marshal to be appointed will
be selected by the board of fire commis-
soners and will be paid 500 a month.
The ordinance will require that he be a
thorough mechanic, familiar with machin-
cry such as is used in the boring for oil.
HIS salary Will come from the fees to bo
collected in the monthly taxation OF all
oil wells, and he will be responsible to the
chief of the fire department. The ord1-
nance contemplated will be ready for
adoption by the council at the session on
week from tomorrow. 1t will absolutely
prohibit smoke and noise in the district
onment for the violation of any OF its pro.
visions. 1t will be ready to be dissected
by the board of fire commissioners at
their meeting on Wednesday, after which
it will be admitted ior passage. The new
law will not compel the taking down OF
derrcks after the wells have been pump
ed out, neither will it interfere with the
present method of storing the product be-
low the surface OF the ground as has been
strenuosly contended for by the property
owners. The new ordinance is aimed to
be compromise all around.
The ordinance as it will be reported for
passage will contain the following teat-
ures:
Every steam boiler shall have a compe-
tent man constantly in charge OF such
boiler at all times when in operation.
Upon granting of permit to bore for oil
or other well shall pay the fee of $--for
such permit.
Every person, firm or corporation shall
pay the sum OF $ per month for each
and every we'll that is in operation any
portion of q month.
The office of fire marshal is hereby cre-
ated. to be appointed by fire com m ssion-
ers. to serve during their pleasure. Said
fire marshal shall be person having a
practical knowledge of machinery gener-
ally and familiar with the methods and
appliances used in connection with en-
gines and boilers such as pertain to the
prevention of smoke and gases escaping
therefrom, and his sole and constant duty
shall be to enforce this ordinance and
protect the inhabitants of this city from
annoyance and danger under this and
other ordinances now existing or that
may hereinafter be enacted.
And any neglect or violation of duty
by such fire marshal shall subject him to
dismissal.
Said fire marshal shall have the power
of police officer Of this city and shall
receive salary of 500 per month.
Every person who violates this ordi-
nance.t tor who advises, aids or abets in
its violation. shall be deemed guilty of
misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be punished by a fine OF not less
than $5 nor more than $500. or by in,pris-
onment not exceeding six months, or by
both such fine and Imprisonment.