, 1904-02-05
LEAKAGE
OF GAS TANKS DURING PROCESS
OF MANUFACTURE CON-
PLANNED OF IN OMAHA.
Attention of Advisory Board Of Ne
braska's Metropolis Called to Mat
ter BY Complaining Citizens
Case May be of Local Interest in
View Of Action Of Council.

In view of a discussion now going
on in this city and the possibility of
the establishment of a gas plant here
this coming summer, the following
from the Omaha Bee of yesterday may
be of interest at this time:
Complaints That gas manufacturing,
as at present conducted by the Omaha
gas company at Twentieth and Center
streets, is inimical to the safety and
comfort of the residents within a
radius of three blocks were heard by
the advisory board yesterday after
noon. The officers of the gas COM
pany declined an invitation to be pres
ent, saying the question had been set
tied in cour and they don't care to
enter into any argument.
Representations have been made to
Mayor Moores and City Engineer Rose
water by Fred Schlemme that gas is
continually leaking from the big tanks
during it's manufacture, filling the
homes of nearby h~ouseholders with
the gas and rendering habitation both
unpleasant and dangerous. When n
of the tanks exploded Friday night
many of the jewellers were turned out
into the 10Y and cold, upon advice
FROM employees of the gas company.
that occupancy of their homes was I'M
safe. The released gas had permeated
the rooms and other explosions were
feared if all doors and windows were
not kept open. Some of the persons
turned out found refuge with neigh
bors more fortunately situated, while
others shivered in cold beds. A num-
Der of children and others are said to
be ill as a result OF the explosion.
Fred Schlemme, who owns three
houses close to the tanks, and who
fought the construction of the plant
when it was built in 1897, was the
principal protestant. although others
Of the neighborhood are clamoring for
relief from the gaseous fumes and the
ever constant danger of explosion.
both in the tanks themselves II in
the homes. Schlemme said 1t has been
impossible to keep tenants in his
houses. Since his injunction was not
granted, however. he has not overly
objected to the tanks. but claims to
have been damaged between $4,000
and $1,000.
Gas Inspector Lynch said the explo-
sion last week was caused by the
freezing of the water seal. This was
not noticed and the pumping of gas in
to the chambers vas continued until
the top gave way. The public has
been barred from inspection of the
damaged tank and the inspector had
difficulty in securing access in order
to make an investigation.
Modern methods do not sanction
the presence of gas manufacturing
plants in cities" said Chief Engineer
Rosewater. They should be located
in isolated spots outside the city lin
its and the gas forced through a pipe
line to the ground covered by on
sumers."
Before the advisory board Gas In
spector Lynch said he considered the
tank dangerous to the neighbor6ood as
it has been maintained. He recon-
mended the installation of a relief
valve. which would allow the super
fluous gas to escape provided the tank
does not work properly or anything
goes wrong that would cause a pres
sure exceeding fifteen pounds. After
hearing Mr.. Schlemme the board dis
cussed the subject at considerable
length.
A committee composed OF City En-
gineer Rosewater, Building Inspector
Withheld, Fire Chief Salter and Gas In
spector Lynch, was appointed to make
a report with recommendations to the
board at the meeting next Wednesday.