The herald., 1897-04-02
SOME HARDSHIPs IMPOSED
UNDERGROUND TANKS WILL
CLOSE THE BUSINESS
Eloquent Argument by James Bur
dette on Behalf of the Property
Owners--The People Enti-
tied to Protection

The special committee OF the city
council, Messrs. Baker, Grider and Toll
met last evening with the special CON-
mittee of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' association, the board of trade
the chamber of commerce, oil producers
and consumers for conference, with
a view to changing and modifying the
ordinance recently adopted for the regu-
lation Of the oil industry. All the parties
interested were largely represented. in
Guiding representatives of the property
owners. Owing to the crowd, the meet
ing adjourned from the committee
room to the council chamber.
Chairman Baker called the meeting
to order, when Mr.. ]. H. Keifer, as
chairman of the special committee Of the
commercial bodies, addressed the COM
mittee from the oil consumers stand
point. He produced map defining the
limits In which TIE provisions OF the or
dience are operative, and then stated the
objections Of the consumers to the same.
The provision in regard to tho storage
of oil other than refined kerosene. ex-
cept in underground tanks, was
case in point, and he pointed
out instances in which he claimed that
it worked hardship to the manufac-
turers. as they could not even keep gaso-
line on their premises. Then, too. the
clause in regard to prohibiting the blow
ing of steam whistles and making any
unusual noises. II this was enforced, 1t
would greatly cripple manufacturers. as
they would experience great difficulty in
raising steam in their boilers. He felt
that such would be The case, as no ex-
ceptions are made. The clause in re-
gard to loading and unloading oil on
the streets was also Objectionable. Mr..
Keifer did not think that the council
desired to put any obstacles in the way
of manufacturers, but rather intended
to encourage them. He, on behalf OF the
manufacturers, protested against any
legislation that will increase the ex-
pense to oil men and thereby raise the
price of fuel. The Troy laundry is now
paying out $3.50 week in wages, and
other industries were expending money
in the same proportion. He did not
think that the council wished to throt-
tie an industry which had done so much
for the city, and instanced his experience
In the eastern oil fields, where the prob
lem had worked itself out satisfactorily.
Ed North. on behalf of the producers,
was the next speaker. He said that the
oil industry had grown to its present
proportions under the sanction of the
authorities, and they now believed that
they had some vested rights. He wished
to say that the principal objection was
against Section 8, requiring all storage
tanks to be buried underground, and IL
this was enforced II would result in the
shutting down of at least nine-tenths OF
the wells, as they could not afford to
stand the expense. Another thing he
could not understand was the exception
made in favor of kerosene. which every
one knew was ten times more inflamma-
bic than crude oils Then as to fires he
considered that the danger was greatly
exaggerated. and he denied that any
fire had started from tank. He gave
history of the fires In the district, and
said that there had never been any
trouble in handling these fires with
chemical engines. He wished to say
further that the burying of tanks would
not prove to be panacea for all the
evils complained of; In fact, the danger
from underground tanks was much
greater than from those above ground.
as there was a much greater likelihood
OF the infiammable gas becoming ig-
nited and causing an explosion and
tearing up things. Then, too, II would
be practically impossible to separate the
oil from the water and get 1t in mer-
chantable condition If the tanks are put
under ground. and besides. the expense
would be very heavy. as 1t would cost
from 5000 to $500 to bury each tank Mr..
North said that the industry was now
producing about 1000 barrels of oil a
day, which represents about $2500, and
he thought that this was an industry
that should be fostered. He further took
the ground that the increase in the price
of vacant lots Offset the depreciation in
the value of more valuable property.
Mr.. North insisted that oil was not as
infiammable as hay, and as there was no
regulation for the storage of the latter
1t locked like discrimination. Then. too.
the clause In regard to loading and un-
loading oil on the streets in receptacles
exceeding fifty gallons. was objection
able. as was also the clause in regard to
overhead cables or wires. In some cases
temporary wires or cables are absolutely
necessary in cleaning wells. and for
other purposes, and the we'll owners
thought they should have this privi-
lege.
Mr.. Keifer again addressed the COM
mittee, saying that he had just. been
by the secretary Of the board
Of trade with the statistics of oil pro-
duction for 1896. which was 100000 bar
rels. He thought that the provision In
regard to sump holes should be amend
ed so as to make them 900 cubic feet or
Yards. in place Of 900 square feet. Mr..
keifer then went on to refer to prohi-
bition OF the blowing of whistles, etc,
when Mr.. Toll remarked that this pro-
hibition only referred to oil wells. Mr.
North said that he had never understood
mat the ordinance made any exceptions
but II It did. II was worthless.
yes" said Mr.. Keller, I'VE have taken
egal advice. and our attorney has
stated that 1t would not hold water"
Then. II that Is the case" said Mr..
'ur time. You are evidently in the
wrong place, as we are not here to decide
Coll there Is no ups OF your wastinr
he legality Of the ordinance"
Ex-Ctty Attorney Mcfarland. on be-
,alf Of the producers. protested arainst
he provisions prohlbitine loading ana
1uloeding OF oil on the streets, reuuir-
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