The herald., 1897-02-25
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY rs, 1907.
TO STOP THE NUISANCE

There could hardly be a more frank
and emphatic endorsement of The Her.
AIDS position relative to the nuisances
of the oil field than that embodied in the
preamble and resolutions adopted by the
city council last Tuesday. Although
published in connection with yester-
days local reports they will bear repeat
ing: a second perusal of them may help
to keep this important matter in mind
until some positive action is taken. The
resolutions are as follows:
Whereas. The discovery and development
of a deposit of petroleum underlying a
portion Of the city of Los Angeles, While
adding to our resources an important m
d1Istry in the production of cheap fuel. has
nevertheless been attended win many ana
serious disadvantages; and,
Whereas These disadvantages consist in
a system of development which is gener-
ally conceded to have been ill-advised, and
system of operation that has been heed
less of public and private rights and,
Whereas, Despite regulations and special
inspections instituted by this council,
nuisances incident TO the prosecution of the
oil industry have not been prevented or
abated; and.
Whereas, The effect of this careessly-
conducted industry has been TO Injure
property values within the boundaries Of
the oil field, inhcting great hardship ana
loss upon residents thereof and maintain
dng public nuisances that have become un-
bearable; be it
Resolved, That a special committee of
three be appointed by the president of this
i74 d l.4
condition of the oil INDUSTRY i'm this city,
and the public nulsances ana the damage
to public and private properly resulting
therefrom.
Resolved. That said committee, in con-
junction with the city attorney, prepare and
present to this council an ordinance de-
signed TO accomplish the following re-
suits:
/. The prevention Of nuisances incident
to the operation Of steam engines and bor-
ing and pumping plants.
2. The prevention Of nuisances due to de-
posting oil and waste matter in sump
holes and allowing the same TO run over
the surface Of he ground.
3. The prevention Of the abuse OF public
rights by pumping cables cXtenG.ns across
streets. the loading ana unloading of oil
upon the streets and the dodement Of
streets by allowing waste oil to escape
thereon.
4. The establishment of thorough sys-
TEN of license and inspection for said oil
wells levyins a special tax upon he same
TO defray all expenses incident thereto.
). The establishment of suitable fines
and penalties for the violation Of such reg-
ulations as may be es .ablished.
Resolved, That said special commit
tee and the city attorney be required TO re-
port the result of their inquiry and said pro-
posed ordinance at the next regular ses-
sion of this council.
The system Of protection outlined
above is defective in one particular II
makes no provision for staying the ad-
vance of oil development upon new ter
ritory, and thus preventing the ruin of
other fine homes. In the district now
given over to derricks and dirt we see
the results of an uncontrolled mode Of
well-boring The city of Los Angeles
has had enough, and more than enough
of that.
Are the men who bore for oil within the
city limits to have special PRIVILEGES
over any other class of business men?
Would the city council permit any
man digging well for water to pile up
the debris on the streets and permit il
to remain there for months, endanser-
ing the safety Of pedestrians and team
sters?
Would the council permit a planning
mill to be located and operated in a
purely residence district, threatening
the destruction of adjoining buildings
from fire, vitiating the insurance ana
destroying the peace of the neighbor-
hood with its rasping sound?
Would the council permit the erection