The herald., 1898-10-08
COUNCIL STANDS PAT
AND THE OIL MEN MUST BE THE
AGGREssoRS
IN TESTING LIMIT ORDINANCE
Arguments Presented by Petitioners
at Yesterdays Hearing-Soap
Factory Plans Approved

It was the opinion of those interested
yesterday after the hearing of the oil con-
troversy before the board of public works
that the petitioners for the modification OF
the limit ordinance put UP strong argu-
ment The board of public works took the
matter under advisement and it Is difficult
to conjecture whether their report will
recommend concession to the petitioners
or not. 1t apparently really matters little
whether they do or not, for, according to
the best information obtainable, majo
lty OF the councilmen are unalterably op-
posed to conceding single inch of the
present prescribed limit, and recommen-
dalton in favor Of the petitioners would
merely meet with signal defeat. The coun-
ellis apparent object In assuming this po-
sition is to force the oil men to test the
ordin ance in the courts II they sincerely
believe 1t to be illegal. The oil men firmly
assert that such is now their intention.
The hearing yesterday was a warm one
the committee room being we'll crowded
ard speakers PLENTIFUL. Occasional bursts
of anger accompanied by words better left
unsaid evidenced that the feeling between
the two factions is none too kindly.
Judge Hubbell's Remarks
The opening gun was fired by Judge Hub.
bel, who said In part:
1t is a rule Of law and Justice, gentle
men, that you cannot legislate for the
beneft OF one man to the detriment and
injury Of another. Our petition seeks
the modification Of an ordinn r ce which
does that very thing. l am interested
through force Of circumstances in both
sides Of this question, owning. as do,
both houses and vacant lots In the dis
trict in question. But take the posi-
ton that oil development does not in
10 10
fact that in the districts where oil has
been developed the storm water has
ling sinc& washed all the Objectionable
matter away. In this district this
would be especially true. as the drain
age Is away from the residence prop
erty and the entire city.
Tho oil industry should not be cur
tailed unnecessarily; 1t has spent mil
lions In this city and hundreds of men
who draw their daily bread from the
work 1t furnishes would be injured by
the stoppage of it's legitimate progress.
The modification of the ordinance as
we seek II will not allow US to come
near the park. We do not desire so to
do The Lord has defined the line
wherein We can make 1t profitable to
drill, and 1t does not run near West
lake park.
The idea that oil Is so injurious to
property Is an erroneous one, however.
a few years ago tank on the hills
broke and the oil ran down the ra-
vines and all over my property. I fail
to see that 1t has injured a single
shrub or a tree. The Cudahy Packing
company's place, 800 feet from my
house. IL worse than oil, but 1t is de-
sirable institution for the city and no
objections have been entered against 1t.
You have allowed oil development in
thckly settled parts of the city; why
~ has AS~ IL
solitary house or improvement? re-
Gently sold lot right in full view Of
the derricks for $4,000. and a $4,000 house
Is being erected on 1t. The builder Is
not afraid OF the oil.
All we want is the amendment Of the
ordinance, not the abolishment of 1t, and
We ask that you grant our petition as
the sensible thing to do; the smell won't
hurt anybody.
Mr. Holabirf interposed at this point
with: You don't live there, and don't
know what that smell means"
mo" answered the Judge, but own
houses In the place. and know what am
talking about
Discussion WAKES Warm
G. w. Burton, the we'll known newspa-
per man. was the next speaker. He referred
to numbeH of points already touched
upon by Judge Hubbell and said further;
the other side of that ridge which
would injure Sixth street property 1
live nearer to the oil wells near the end
Of First and Second streets than any,
one In this district lives to the district
In which we wish to drill. and my fam
lily and I enjoy three square meals each
day the year round and are bothered
by no oil nuisance.
You must feed your family on assafoet-
Ida. then" broke in Judge Miller
No, sir, don't feed my family on assa-
foetida, nor have any in my mind. We
probably live as we'll as any of the resi-
dents of the Westlake district"
Mr. Burton stopped a moment and when
his mind had had time to appreciate what
might have been the full intention OF Judge
Msller's remark, he continued, somewhat
angrily:
That Is the character Of the argument
presented by the other side throughout
this whole controversy. They are not
willing to concede that others have a
right to their opinions and an express
sion of them but assail us with such
abusive language and insults. I am
willing to submit the question to the
consideration Of your honorable board
without further discussion.
Mr. Burton started out of the room ir
evident anger. Judge Miller stood near the
door and began to protest that he did moi
mean to offer an Insult. But the newspaper
man was not to be so easily pacified and
after waving his hand saucily under the