The herald., 1897-02-24
WILL Be KEPT IN BOUNDS
Action Taken by the Council on
the Gil Industry
1T WILL BE REGULATED
A Special Committee Appointed TO Sug.
gest Measures Of Relief
Il WIN Consider the B.,t Means for Abatlug
Existing NulssHces s.d Preventing
1<. A.,a..
1T WILL BE REGULATED

The city authorities have at last ap-
parently awakened to TIE fact that the
manner of conducting the oil industry
within the city limits is sorely in need of
proper regulation, If a large and popu-
lous section of the unc.pallty is to be
saved from absolute ruin, SO far as liv-
ing purposes are concerned.
Yesterday morning the land commit
tee of the council reIarted adversely the
proposition Of Burdette Chandler to
lease city lands for well-boring pur-
poses, which report was unanimously
adopted, showing that there was de-
termination to at least confine operations
to the present territory.
Later in the day Councilman Grider
offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The discovery and develop
ment CT a deposit of petroleum under
lying a portion OF the city Of Los An
g6les, while adding to our resources an
important industry in the production Of
cheap fuel has, nevertheless, been at
tended with many and serious disadvan-
tages; aud,
Whereas, These disadvantages con-
sist in system Of development which
Is generally conceded to have been ill
advised and a system Of operation that
has been needless of public and private
rights; and,
Whereas, Despite regulations and
special inspections instituted by this
council nuisances incident to the prose
cut!on Of the oil industry have not been
prevented or sbated; and.
Whereas, The effect Of this carelessly
conducted industry has been to injure
property values within the boundaries
OF the oil fields, inflictlng great hardship
and loss upon residents thereof, and
maintaining public nuisances that have
become unbearakle; be 1t
Resolved. That q special committee of
three be appointed by the president of
this council to inquire into and report
upon the condition Of the oil industry In
this city, ard the public nuisances and
the damage to public and private prop
crty resulting therefrom.
Resolved, That said committee, in con-
junction with the city attorney, prepare
and present to this council an ordinance
designed to accomplish the following re-
suits:
First-The prevention Of nuisances in
cident to the operation. Of steam engines
and boring and pumping plants.
Second-The prevention of nuisances
due to depositing oil and waste matter
run over the surface of the ground.
| Third-The prevention of the abuse Of
public rights by pumping cables ex.
tending across streets, the loading ant
| unloading Of oil upon streets, and the de.
| flement Of streets by allowing vast.
| oil to escape thereon.
Fourth-The establishment Of a thcr.
ough system of license and inspection
for said oil wells, levying a special tax
upon the same to defray all expenses
incident thereto.
Fifth-The establishment of suita BILE
fines and penalties for the viola ton ot
such regulations as may be esta bllshed
Resolved, That said special committee
and the city attorney be required to re-
port the result Of their inquiry and said
proposed ordinance at the next regular
session Of this council.
| This resolution also passed without
dissenting vote, and President Silve:
| appointed Messrs. Grider, Baker anG
Mathuss as such special committee.
This committee will at once go to work
and by thu next meeting hopes to present
report suggesting measures by which
the evils complained of can be reduced
| to minimum and preventing the ex-
| tension of the industry, except under
such regulations and restrictions as will
protect the property of residents Of the
| district