The Portland daily press., 1898-02-08

the gasoline more frequently.
Alderman Kehoe-"All the evidence
on this matter which we have heard mas
not shown us that gasoline thus stored
is dangerous. II it is dangerous, isn't
100 gallons as dangerous as 400 gallonsF
1t is simply a matter of convenience TO
the intirmary as l understand it, for they
will not be obliged to fill the tanks fre-
quently. The question to be settled is, IS
gasoline dangerous when properly stored
II don't think it is dangerous and have
heard no evidence tending to show that
it is. We do not license the use Of gaso-
line promiscuously but in this case we
favor public institution and save them
considerable expense"
Alderman McDoneld-"It seems to me
If We grant this petition we give an
opening for the general use of gasoline
with some danger to the property in this
city. Some one will be here with Pc
tition for the storage of 1000 gallons
next year, and if we grant this petition
we shall have to grant the petition for
larger amounts. | am not IN favor OF
granting this petition"
Alderman Rounds spoke at some length
on this matter. He wasn't in favor OF
granting the petition. He referred to
case in Portland where a man was badly
burned by the explosion of'gasoline, and
said that he had heard of others.
Alderman Leighton-"If we fail to
grant this petition, as l understand the
matter, we do not prohibit the infirmary
from using their gasoline engines. 80
they can store under the city ordinances
100 gallons anyway. dislike to take any
action which will prevent the introduce
tion of cheap light and power plants. for
I believe there is plenty of need for such
cheap plants. In this case every resi-
dent in the vicinity of the infirmary has
signed remonstrance against the grant
ing OF this petition and ] think that this
remonstrance should be regarded.
Alderman Kounds-"The alderman
from Ward says these gasoline plants
are cheaper and he is in favor Of cheaper
power. Now I have just got home from
Boston and / have had a chance of see
ing what a man did by building cheap
structure. This cheap structure killed
six firemen, and who knows but what
these Tcheap power plants may Kill some
one vet? I don't want to vote for cheap
ness, but for safety. That's what am
here for. to see that the citizens are not
exposed to any dangers. Here, Saturday
night, man stood up in this room ana
told how gasoline tank containing 10, O0O
IL.
barrels got on fire at its man hole. The
iron of this tank was one and one-quar-
ter inches thick and the fire burned an
hour without melting the iron. Do you
think we are such fools as to believe
that? That man must have thought we
were all crazy down here in Maine II he
expected us to believe that
Alderman Leighton's motion to refuse
the granting of thu petition was put to a
vive voce vote, and was carried with
only one dissenting vote, ,Lthat of Alder
man Kcboe.
The petition of Owen, Moore & Co.,
to store 400 gallons of gasoline was also
defeated with only one dissenting vote,
| that of Alderman Kehoe.
ANCIENT HISTORY.
Alderman Rounds asked the board to
take from the table the claim OF George
| H. Kittridge against the city for $500
damages alleged to have been received
| by reason of defective place on Myrtle
| street.
| This claim WAS introduced last spring
and was at that time laid on the table on
motion of Alderman Rounds. He now
wanted this claim amended to $l25, and
passed by the board. Alderman Rounds
said he had examined the case thorough
ly and though the report of the Judicial
proceedings and claims had been acted
upon adversely, he believed that justice
should be done and the claim of $125
should be paid.
Alderman Leighton-"I do not under
stand that the city is a benevolent asso
citation. If Alderman Rounds has claim
against the city, let it go before the COM
mittee on judicial proceedings and
claims. No member of this board has
right to come here in the interest OF
any neighbor and friend and do what he
knows is not for the city's best interest.
Alderman Ilsley-tIf think the COM
mittee on iudici ial proceedings and claims
has made mistake in reporting adverse
Iy on this case. have right to vote not
to accept that report and / shall do SO.
Alderman Fagan-"At the time this
matter came before the committee on
judicial proceedings and claims the city
solicitor was present and stated that he
did not believe Mr.. Kittridge could col
lect damages from the city,
Alderman Rounds-"The gentleman
from seven has said that 1 come here to
press the claim of neighbor and he has
limited that I am doing SO against the
best interests of the city. 1 have right
to press the claim of any man who lives
in Ward 8, or who lives in any ward in
this city. The place where Mr.. Kittridge
was injured was so bad that it was af-
forwards fixed up by the city and this
shows on the face of it that this claim is
lust. I move that the order to pay Mr.
Kittridge $125 to settle his claim have q
passage.