The herald., 1895-03-28
OBJECTIONABLE OIL WELLS
The Fire Commissioners Again
Consider the Question
W. A. CHENEY GAINS A POINT
Engineer Myers Fined for Not Firing Up
When en- Route to a Fire
Small Amount OF Business Disposed of at
Yesterdays Session of the Board, but
Considerable Argument Had

Yesterday morning the Board of Fire
Commissioners held their regular weekly
meeting, all the members present and
Mayor RAIDER presiding.
Mayor RAIDER stated that there were sew
eral gentlemen present who had some
marks to offer and he would suggest that
they be heard before the rou tine business
was taken up.
The application OF ex-Judge W. A. Che
ney for permit to operate an oil well on
his lot in the oil district was read.
Chief Moore stated that the application
had been referred to him at the last meet
ing and he would like to have further
time. as he understood that some of the
nejghbors desired to protest. At this
point Attorney Burdette came in and az
he was one of the citizens who opposed
Judge Cheney's application, Chief Moore
suggested that the board proceed and
hear the case.
Judge Cheney explained that the oil
wells are all around his house, some of
them not being tifty feet away. and he
thought it would be unfair to discrmn-
ate against him.
Mr.. Burdette said that he lives three
or tour blocks away from the pr posed
location of Judge Cneney well. but he
was opposed to the board granting any
more permits for the maintenance of
nuisances
Last evening said he, the smoke was
so dense in my vicinity and the atmos-
phere SO impregnated with grease that L
had to close the doors ana windows of my
house, 50 that my family and myself could
breathe"
Judge Cheney, in reply, said that with
all due Difference to Mr.. Burdette's re-
marks, the engines were not running on
Tuesday night and he and his wife sat
for several hours on the front porch
while he smoked u cigar. lit is true. ;"
said he. that when The oil industry at
first started they allowed the oil to accu-
mulatc on Ii streets and made no at
tempt to burn the smoke. Now that i'm
proved machinery is used there is no
nuisance, for IL there was | am living
close enough 10 these oil wells to detect It,.
Captain 1onn { oss, who attends the
Meetings of the board lie quarry to protest
against granting perm is 10 the oil men.
took issue with Judge Cheney. but the
latter promptly called him down by say
ing that he mad not Impunged his lnteg-
rity and Captain Cross took his seat.
Mr. Bailey, who lives in the OIL region,
said that he did not consider the oil wells
il nuisance, and liked 10 see them devel-
oped.
y. ". Durham who also lives in the
same locality, said chat he could not stand
the nuisance any longer and was about to
purchase Il nome III bne N!HCu Wdru anu
leave. the place where he at present re
sides. He SAID tnat grease was tracked
all over his house, ana the smoke was SO
intense that life Wis Il burden, and that
insurance rates were extremely high OH
account OF the oil stored in tue neighbor-
hood.
Mr.. Kuhrts said that he favored laying
Judge Cne.iey's application over for "a
week, and in the meantime have the
Council adont another ordinance restrict
ing the industry.
Mr.. Netter sala that the application OF
G applicant, I granted, would not open
up new ter toiy. and he saw no reason
why Judge Cheney's request should net
be acted upon at once. Mayor RAIDER
agreed with Mr.. kuhris.
Mr.. Net r moved thct the application
be granted, ana it was carried.
Engineer Meyers WAS reported by the
chic! for not firing up" when resp nd
ing to box 50 last Sunday. Meyers ex-
planned that the engine had just been
painted and that he did not want TO ruin
the vanish, and for that reason he did not
get up steam. He was fined $40.
The application OF the Far West Oil
Company for a permit to put in an oil
well in the oil district was granted.
The application OF Van Forsen & Pen
nypacker for the same privilege was
granted.
f. W. Flint, the attorney, also applied
for permit 10 open up all oil well, and
his request was granted.
The usual acquisitions were passed and
the board adjourned.