The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-01-29
STORM DSAPPROVAL OFFETROLEUM FLASH TEST BILL TCKENS
WHO NOW SEEKS AID OF OPPONENTS
RaISton Asks for a Joint Committee
Meeting for Discussion of Measure
That Threatens the Oil Industry

test for oil the members are taking action
on an important and intricate scientific
problem with which none of the members
is competent to give anything like expert
opinions, because none of them is thor
oughly familiar with the subject. Rather
than draft new measure incorporating
in it regulations the effect of which the
members have no, personal means of
knowing and rather than institute some
new species of legislation upon the sub
jcct he would prefer letting the law re-
main It is.
PURPOSE is NOT PLAIN.
The members of the committee are
practically agreed that some proper reg
ulation is needed with reference to the
manufacture and sale of Illuminating oils
such as are consumed in the homes all
over the State, but it has been pointed
out to them that the Ralston bill provides
in explicit terms that it shall be appli-
cable only TO cities and shall not apply
TO the use of oil on railroad locomotives.
If. therefore il is the desire of the mem
bers to pass a law saying that illuminat-
ing oil shall not be sold in the State I'M
less it is of sufficiently high grade to
be safe dhey cannot adapt the Ralston
bill TO such a DESIRE but must enact an
entirely different measure. and one which
would eliminate the embargo which the
RalstOn bill seeks TO place upon crude oil
used as fuel.
Some of the Senators who favor new
coal oil or kerosene law see in such an
enactment the necessity, if il is to be en-
forced. of commission for that purpose
to whom must be given power TO appoint
numerous inspectors throughout the
State, whose duty it would be to inspect
the oils kept in stock in groceries and
al other places where oil is dispensed for
domestic use. The present Legislature is
not one which will take kindly to any
proposition looking to the increase in the
number of State commissions. The incli-
nation of the members is decidedly to-
ward the very opposite course.
OIL MEN AROUSED.
Senator Hahn of Pasadena positively de-
clared to-day that he will oppose the
Ralston measure unless a number of
president of two oil companies and is ia
miliar in a general way with the needs of
the industry He said:
1 do not know anything about fash tests
at certain temperatures fire tests. That
is a matter which has been determined by
scientists. and IL is not to be expected that
any Of US could give satisfactory eXplana-
ton Of those terms. 1t is therefore not proper
that We should seek 10 incorporate into the
statute any regulations about which We know
practically nothing. and especially Is this true
T-hen by doing might ruin the oil in
dustry / do not say that l am opposed 10
legislation sucn as would secure TO the people
better oil or the best oil for domestic purposes,
but the subjects OF the use Of Illuminating oil
and that of the use fuel OF crude oil can
not be incorporated in the same law. There
Is nothing in common between them. l doubt
If the Ralston bill can be made to apply to
Illuminating oil alone and unless IL is amend
ed 50 eliminate its Objectionable features
I shall oppose il.
The members of the upper house have
been notified that from all the large oil
producing fields in the southern part of
the State win come large lobby TO fight
against the bill when it is considered be-
fore the Senate Committee on Mining
Monday night. Nearly all the conner
cial bodies of Los Angeles have passed
resolutions against the passage Of the
measure.