The herald., 1897-02-21
IMPROVED PROPERTY

Yes, undoubtedly the city council
has plenary jurisdiction, but the coun-
Gilman cares nothing for anything that
does not directly affect his sonstit-
uency. And then, what good would stat
utes do if there is no provision to en-
force them"
1T has been suggested that the money
raised by taxing the oil yeild be utilized
to pay officers to enfore the laws made to
protect residents in the district" said
the reporter.
We'll, that would do. Undoubtedly
the most Objectionable features of the
nuisance could be greatly modified if
determined action were taken.
There are a great many of the con-
tractors who are irresponsible fellows,
and even if one obtained judgement
against them il would avail little have
about made UP my mind to grin and bear
it, There seems to be little else to do.
You can't expect men who come before
the public often to carry out judgment
to the strict letter of the law.
THE public has no rights to be re-
spected by the oil men. They spill and
slop the oil on the streets, and seem to
place the sump-holes as near the roads
as possible. Ladies must cross the
street occasionally, you know, and they
often ruin their clothes.
THE people down there in the west
end don't care about us in the oil dis
trict, so long as the oil don't run down
and spoil their lawns. The residents on
Bonnie Brae were unmindful until the
nuisance invaded their territory So
you see it is only a matter of self-inter-
est, after all> We are all very much
alike. What is needed is for people to
stand together.
You may quote me as strong as you
please against the nuisance. the most
glaring features of which. as I said be
fore. can be greatly modified if only the
proper authorities will act"
MILLIONS IN JEOPARDY.
Mr.. L. G. Wiltshire. one of the owners
of the BELMONT tract, when spoken to
regarding the oil danger, sIid:
I'VE have spent consderabl sum of
money on this tract, about quarter of
a million dollars, and if THE oil comes
this way we will suffer much But we
feel some reinsurance now. as we have
put down a test well to a depth of 1900
feet, and another Of .he same depth was
driven by Mr.. Hughes just north of us.
We struck water and so did Mr.. Hughes,
but very little oil. 1t cost US about $4400
that the strata rises here ard limits the
oil line, so we are not likely to be very
badly damaged
DO you have trouble from the oil
coming from other sections?"
"Oh. no. Fortunately our land is
higher than the surrounding territory,
and we therefore are not troubled by
drainage from other ground. Then,
too. Sixth street runs down in a kind Of
valley and cuts us\off naturally from the
oil tracts. There has been an ordi-
nance presented to protect Sunset park
as well as Westlake park"
NAUSEATING FUMES.
A prominent jeweler living on Bonnie
Brae avenue thus describes the condi-
tion OF things around his premises:
The sludge and oil which are pumped
from wells are allowed to accumulate,
mixed with water and to become stag
nant. both on the property and in the
street, in the immediate vicinity of the
wells, so that extremely nauseating
fumes and smells are emitted"
IN SELF DEFENSE
Mr.. Herzheld, the druggist, corner
Temple and Belmont avenue, when seen
at his residence replied to inquiries as
follows:
From one standpoint you might say
that the oil development has been of
benefit TO the city, in that it has furnished
work to a number of people in this neigh
borhood who, during the recent depres-
sion, might have been without bread
and butter OF course it has injured