The herald., 1895-03-21
Regular Weekly Meeting of the
Commission Yesterday
PERMITS TO BORE FOR OIL
G. W. Smiths Application, Laid Over
From Last Week, Denied
Property Owners Continue Their Vigorous
Fight and Are Successful
at Last

The Board OF Fire Commissioners met
yesterday in the Mayors Office in the
city hall and on account of Mayor RAIDERS
absence in Ventura county, the veteran
Jake Kuhrts presided.
A long protest was read from W. T.
James and others agaist granting a
permit to G. w. Smith to bore for oil
in the Belmnt tract.
Mr.. Wilmer, one of the gentlemen in
terested in the proposed enterprise and
who owns the property sought to- be
developed, individually appeared before
the board. He said: permits have al
ready been granted by the board to bore
for oil IN the immediate neIghborhood
and | do not consider it fair nor just, at
this time, to deny like privilege to u.s.
The boring for oil and the maintenance
of well is not in itself a nuisance; it is
the way the engines are run and the OBJ
lection can readily be overcome by proper
legislation and l am heartily in favor OF
compelling these people to run their
engines so as not to inconvenience those
living in contiguous residences.
G. W. Smith, the gentleman who APP
piled for the permit said his company
represents two and a half million of dol
lars and proposes to invest it in lmprov-
ing and developing these wells. He said
that he is mem Der of the Far West OIL
Company, which supplies Oil to the
Santa Fe and Terminal companies and
will shortly supply the Southern Pacific
company. The oil is consumed in their
locomotives and there are no cinders nor
smoke occasioned by its consumption.
which is proved by the fact that large
numbers of people wait for the O'Clock
Son Rarp r6 fra n HaiIy nrpforripO the
oil burning engines to those causing
smoke.
This oil developing will not disturb
anyone, said Mr.. Smith, land it is not
a nuisance. The value of property repre-
sented by these protestants is very small
considering that we want to develop at
least $5, 0OO 900 worth OF oil which lies
beneath the ground in the locality. In all
large cities industries of this kind are not
legisated against and am free to say
that the board cannot prevent us from de-
vsloping the material resources OF our
property r
Captain Cross replied briefly, saying
that he has spent thousands of dollars to
beautify his grounds and make them ad
mired by the tourist. II don t believe,
said he. that this board has the right to
grant permit the use of which will
drive my family from their home. ~
w. J. Hunsaker, the attorney, who also
oped, made strong appeal to the board
not to grant the permit. He said that
with oil wells in the neighborhood, peo-
pie could not live in their houses. and he
ventured the remark that the board has
no right to license the maintenance of a
nuisance. On motion of Mr.. Vetter the
application was denied. 1t was also de-
cided to reconsider the action of the
commission in granting permits to other
parties to bore for oil in the same district.
l. f. Francis, electrician of the fire de-
partment, filed communication. which was
read. 1t stated that on account OF the in
creased work incident to the placing of
new fire alarm boxes, the resetting of new
poles and the repair of lines, he could not
get along without at least two assistants.
Mr.. Kuhrts stated that the Council at
its last meeting voted that but one assist
ant would be allowed. 1.-The same thing
was done couple of years ago, " said he,
land in consequence the fire alarm sys-
tenn went to pieces. Now all we can do is
to abide by the Councils decision and
the service will be the sufferer.
Mr.. Vetter-For one l don't favor any
such plan. [ am in favor of devising
some plan by which we can incur what
expense is absolutely necessary to run the
department.
Chief Moore when asked, said that the
electrician is in need Of two assistants,
and if he had them he could keep them
busy every day.
Upon a suggestion made by Mr.. Vetter
the chief was instructed to go before the
Council at its next meeting, taking with
him the electricians communication, and
see if he could not prevail upon them to
grant the electrician request.
H. Hemb presented lengthy commu-
nication requesting the board to recon
slider it's action in removing him. Filed.
Chief Moore reported that the appara-
tus of the department had been touched
up" and that he had purchasd horse for
SIPS.
Chief Moore stated that he had been
requested by the Street Superintendent to
assist in flushing the Ninth street sewer
by furnishing an engine to pump water
from the zanja.
Mr.. Kuhrts said that the sand from the
zanJa passing through the engine injured
the machine, but the matter was referred
to the chief with power to act.
Grant Foreman presented commune
cation IN which he stated that he wanted
to give a masquerade ball, and he asked
permission to use the name of the Veter-
an Fireman's Association, in return for
which he would pay the department so
per cent of the receipts. Referred to the
chief with power to act.
A number of applications were read
from people desiring permits to bore for
oil. and they were all referred to the
chief.
The pay roll, amounting to $3.50 for
last month, was approved and the board
adjourned.