The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-13
OYSTER DEALERS OPPOSE
THE ESTdBLISHMENT or IN OIL
TANK ON oUINNIPL4C RIVER.

Switchboard of Burgesses Interested
Resolutions Passed and Committees APP
pointed.
If the united effort of the New Hn-
ven oyster dealers count for anything,
the Standard Oil company will be
checkmated in It's attempt to locate
tank for the distribution of oil on the
banks of the Quinnipiac river in Fair
Haven East
But the deliberations of the meeting
held yesterday afternoon have a much
more far-reaching tendency and the
committee appointed will see to it that
the great oil corporation will not only
not gain a foothold on the Quinnipiac
river, but upon the water front any
where in the town or city of New Ha-
Ven. 1t was stated in the meeting that
least offensive corporations in the Unit
ed States, but also one of the most per-
sistent, and that nothing but eternal
vigilance would prohibit the establish
ment of distributing tanks, thus endan-
gering one of the most prolific indus
tries of the city.
The oystermen are united and all say
that while they shall be as courteous to
the corporation as it has been to.them,
it will find them no less persistent.
There is likely to be some sharp fight
ing before the matter is ended, for the
Standard Oil company has long wanted
a station here. Two attempts have al
ready been made and proved unsuccess-
full
When the meeting, for which call
was recently issued, concerning the
contemplated establishment of tank
and distributing station on the banks
of the Quinnipiac river, was called to
order at the office of H. c. Rowe & Co.
at the Quinnipiac bridge in the annex
yesterday afternoon, the room was
filled With those interested. and the
matter was considered carefully and
thoroughly.
Mr.. Rowe, as first signer of the call
for the meeting. called the meeting to
order and stated that he with others
had issued the call in order to consider
the question as to whether the location
of an oil tank and distributing station
on the banks of the Quinnipiac river
would be injurious to the oyster in
dustry and property adjoining the riv
er and vicinity. He stated that the
question had been asked him whether
he should regard it as injurious, but he
preferred that 1t should be answered
at public meeting by those interested,
rather than that he should take the
whole responsibility.
Henry C. Rowe was appointed chair
man of the meeting and G. Clifford
Foote clerk.
The chairman called on any persons
present, who had any knowledge or
opinion of the matter, to express their
views, and counselled careful consider
alton.
Walter Swain stated that he had had
experience in connection with the To-
cation of oil stations, and that he had
found there was certain to be leakage
from the apparatus, and that it result
ed in the pollution of the rivers and the
destruction of the oysters, CLAIMS and
fish in the neighborhood; also that the
odor was Objectionable and the privi-
lege of bathing was destroyed by the oil
and scum on the water and shores. He
advised that strong action should be
taken against the location of any such
plant on the Quinnipiac river.
F. J. Mansfield of F. Mansfield & Sons
stated that he had information from G
relative, who was acquainted with the
matter, that the establishment of such
plant would be very detrimental to
the oyster industry, and very unpleas-
ant for all residents near the river.
Mr.. Marsh of the American Oyster
company said that the odor would be
very troublesome from such an estab-
lishment, and that in case of the explo-
sion of a tank from lightning or other
cause the burning oil would set fire to
every building adjoining the river on
either side.
Charles D. Parmelee said that the
CLAIMS had all been destroyed in the vi
cinity of one of these pumping stations,
and that he thought we did not want
this oil plant located near us. He point
ed out a number of ways in which It
would be injurious He also said that
he did not think the location of a tank
in the immediate vicinity of the dwell
ing portion of the village would be very
acceptable; also that he should heartily
oppose the location of it on the bank of
this river
George E. Lancraft of Lancraft Bros.
stated that George H. Townsend desr-
ed him to say that he and his brother
would protest against anything of the
kind being located here, and that they
would contribute as much money as
any one to prevent the location of such
an establishment on the river.
Mr.. Lancraft also stated: II am
thinking that if we should send three
or four shipments of oysters to our GUS
toners, tainted with kerosene. we might
just as well nail up our shops and put
out a sign For sale Now there are
people along this bank who have made
it a business to live from the proceeds
of these oysters beds, and their fathers
and grandfathers before them. Now is
it right for this company to come
among these people and destroy their
living? We should stop it right away
The chairman, Mr. Rowe. then called
upon the warden of the borough, Mr.. F.
j. Sizer, who was present saying that
the meeting would be pleased to hear
from him Mr.. SiZer then stated that
he came to the meeting feeling an in
terest in the welfare of the community;
also that his impression was that the