The herald., 1897-03-04
THAT infant Industry
Discussing Changes in the
Ordinance
4 general INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS
Property-Owners, Oil Men and
CounciImen in Conference
SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS
Vigorous Objections Entered Against the
Unsightly Stump Holes
These Will Have to Be Cleaned Out at Once
ard Property Fenced
Further Restrictions Tor the Prevention Of the
SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS
Vigorous Objections Entered Against the
UnsightIy Stump Holes
These viii Have to Be Cleaned Out at Once
and Property Fenced
Further Restrictions FOR the Prevention Of the
DisagrseabIe Noises During the Night.
Two Inspectors VIII Be Provided
to See the Law Enforced

The special committee of the cit.
council, Messrs Grider Baker ant
Mathuss, with the joint committee o
the property owners and oil men
MesSrs. Burdette and Eaton and Pa-
ker, Garbutt and Kellerman, met In the
committee room of the council at the
city hall last evening to try to get ar
ordinance in shape for the proper regu
1ation of the oil industry. In addition Il
ber of interested property owners and
others in attendance.
When Councilman Grider called the
meeting to order Councilman Mathuss
said that he desired before the com.
mencement of business to make a state.
ment. He said that he had been charged
with having favored the oil men to the
detriment of the property owners, and
he wished to set himself right with the
people and define his position. Mr..
Mathuss said that for fear he might
forget something he wanted to say he
had written it down. The gentleman
then read from type written copy" the
following statement:
Gentlemen, want to place myself on
record as favoring all Industries that we
now have and all that may come to our
city in the future, but all manufactures
and industries must conform to our laws
or ordinances passed by the city council.
The oil business as it has been con-
Quoted in this city in my opinion would
not be tolerated in any other city in the
United States. Let me state the con-
ditions of the so-called oil fields:
First-You make excavations where
ever you feel so disposed These exca-
vations are to receive the slush. So
oil, all of which are allowed to run over
and onto property adjoining, following
our streets and cutters for miles and
spreading over our lawns. 1 also find
swing pipes hanging over sidewalks,
pipes projecting out on the sidewalks
continually dropping oil; also wire ca
bies hanging over the streets under con-
slant ,train, supported with old greasy
ropes. Also oil pipes running over and
under our streets; boilers blowing off
steam and smoking continuously; tank
wagons going through our principal
streets that are unsightly; they should
be cleaned often; in some cases trail
of oil can be followed for a mile.
Now, gentlemen, all of these are nuis
ances, and can be avoided. l will ad-
nit you are not wholly to blame in this
matter from the fact that you have not
been held responsible for the way you
have conducted the oil business. Take
for instance our Union Avenue SCHOOL,
understand there is some talk of moving
that building II is a fact that 1t is sur
rounded on three sides by boilers. This
should not be. Our board of fire COM
rnissioners should not have granted
these permits. I will say right here, the
fire commissioners should be careful In
granting permits for erecting boilers,
and should consider It incumbent upon
them before granting permits to exam
inc the property and locate with stakes
where the boilers should stand.
The city council has passed an ordi-
nance to so draw a line that our parks
will be protected, and / think the oil
producers feel as the council does in this
matter. Some say the ordinance in re-
gard to drawing the line is of no effect
then let us make one that we can en-
force.
The constitution of the United States
gives the owner or lessee of land the right
to bore, mine, erect or maintain any
business he may choose; but he cannot
bore, mine, erect or maintain any busi-
ness that disturbs or conflicts With the
peaceable occupation of his neighbors.
Many families have come to our city and
built beautiful homes in the line of the
supposed oil belt. Is it right that they
should be driven from their homes by
erecting boilers, blowing off steam and
black smoke, scattering oil whichever
way the wind blows from the sand
lines when working, or sharpening drills
and driving casing, etc, when people
should be allowed the peaceful occupa-
tion of their homes-I think you will all
concur with me in regard TO these things
that 1 have enumerated.
A good deal has been said about the
benefits derived from the oil industry
In our city. / admit ii has been benefit
TO our manufactures, and has given en-
ployment to large number of men; has
also helped our people during the hard
times. | understand that the benefits de-
rived from the oil industry are about
one million dollars, but what has been
and what will be the damage to prop
erty If we continue this course? The
oil producers must be governed by our
city ordinances in regard to the way
they conduct their business, and under
the same law that governs all of our
business or manufactures in the city
Of Los Angeles
erning the oil industry enjoin upon you
10 consider these facts, remembering
that the citizens of this city must be pro-
tected by new ordinances, If necessary
passed from time to time, SO that the oil
Industry may be conducted in proper
manner
These are my views" said Mr.. Math-
uss. Ever since / had that little row
with MIR. DeGroot some days ago, about
establishing that 1900 feet line, I have
been accused Of favorirg the oil men
at the expense of the property owners
This is not so. l favor right and justice.
/ want my own right and I want every
one to have his"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Mathuss' re-
marks the reading of the ordinances now
on the books was commenced by Assist
ant City Attorney Crutcher, the first
being that providing that oil shall be
deposited In such manner that it shall
not run out on the streets.
James Burdette thought that the or
dinance was defective. in that it did not
provide for the cleaning up of lots. Mr..
t,lxz Ill -tk-x