The San Francisco call., 1903-01-17
LAW MUST STOP
DEADLY PRACTICE
Coroner Leland Declares
Gas Meters Must
Be Untouched.

The many recent deaths by gas suffoca-
ton due TO the carelessness of individ-
uals in the turning on and off of the gas
supply at their meters has led Coroner
Leland TO forward to the Mayor and the
Board of Supervisors a suggestion that
tampering with the gas supply at the
meters be prohibited by law. The Cor
oLer states that many of the accidental
deaths which have been brought under
his notice this winter are undoubtedly
due to criminal carelessness in this mat
ter. His letter is as follows:
Hon. Mayor and Board of Supervisors of the
City ami County OF san Francisco-oSeatlemen :
herewith forward you a copy Of the YER
dict OF the Coroncrs jury impaneed to in
ouire. into she cause Of the death Of one SeTa-
phina Teahtanien. and we respectfully call 10
your atteation the Recommendation n, rera Fl
TO the drafting OF ordinance designed to
possibly prevent future deaths from this perni-
cious practice Of turning off and on gas at the
meter.
While our investigation into this cause Of
death OF so many people this winter from ga
has not enabled US 70 definitely convict any
person OF this practice, we feel morally certain
THAI the practice is common one. and that
death IN many cases is the result of this prac-
tice. 1 would call TO your attention one former
case. that of Thomas AIorrissey, December l.
1907, who died at the ST. David House and
while his death could not be proven to have
been caused by the act Of the proprietor or his
the pronrietor- at the time acknowledged that
fed that he always made the rounds Of the
house before turning the gas on again
Your gas INSPECTOR was present at the in
quest and informed by the Coroner Of
another case in his own practice where he
found in rOoming- house on Turk street while
visiting patient, a typewriter notice on the
wall notifying the occupant of the room tina
the gas in that house would be turned and
OF Il certain times.
/ would respectfully cell your attention 70
order NO 81, second series, sections ], . and
3. general order OF the Board Of Supervisors.
regulating the use OF gas in hotels boarding
ana lodging houses;
Section l. The proprietor, lessee or pers N
having charge or control OF any hotel board
ing-h0use or lodging house whenever the supply
Of gas Is stopped off ct any gas meter for the
purpose Of regulating the use OF gas. for
allow the gas TO flcw until the keys OF all
fixtures arc first examined and found to be
shut off 10 prevent escape Of gas.
Section q 1t is hereby made the duty of
the proorietor lessee CT person having charge
of the hotel, boarding or lodging house to have
a printed notice containing the words DO not
blow out the gas, suspended from all gas Ak
lures used in said hotel, boarding lodging
house.
section B. Any person violating the pro-
visions of this order shall be deemed guilty
Of misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be
more than 800. or by Imprisonment of not less
than FIVE days nor more than thirty days, or
by both such fine and imprisonment
We recommend that the proper authorities
be requested TO enforce this order. / believe
that the enforcement Of this order and the
lating IL viii at least assist in reducing a
large number OF fatalities due TO gas asphyxa-
tion. Yours respectfully,
T. B. w. LELAND. Coroner.