The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-31
The Standard Oil Company last night

But Chairman of Council Dixon
started the fire with Standard Oil, and
it spread to other concerns, the gas
company and the railroads.
After the reading of the ordinance,
when it was about to be put upon its
passage, Alderman Dixon asked what
Oil Company, which has large tanks on
Wheaton and OFT streets.
I'VE can't run it out of town." ex-
planned Alderman Dixon, after telling
about the big tanks the company has.
1.-THE company would have to use
tanks of 100 gallons capacity only, and
put them under ground" answered AL
derman oliver, chairman of the Fire
Committee, which had amended the
ordinance.
Alderman Dixon moved to amend the
ordinance excepting the Standard Oil
Company. People had to have gaso-
line, he said, and some concern had to
keep it to supply it to the small dealers.
The company probably kept as much
as 100000 gallons on hand at a time, he
explained. 1t would not be feasible to
have underground tanks, each only
holding 100 gallons, he said.
oliver Opposed Amendment.
Alderman oliver said he had not con-
sidered the Standard Oil Company. The
company was operating in the city and
must comply with ordinances passed.
He dwelt at length ON the danger from
gasoline, and said in his judgment
more was used in Savannah than in
any other town of it's size in the coun-
try. The more gasoline the Standard
Oil Company had, the more dangerous.
He opposed any exception in the COM
panys favor.
'sIhe explosive point of gasoline is
indefinite and hard to Define" said
Alderman Oliver. in speaking of its
dangers. THE minute air becomes
saturated with it to a certain point,
and when a light is applied there is
an explosion. No one can say when
the explosive point is reached"
Mayor Myers said the Standard Oil
Company deserved no consideration as
the ordinance had been advertised and
no protest filed.
Standard Owns the World.
Remember, the Standard Oil Com
pany owns the world in that line" sug-
gested Alderman Dixon.
well, l don't know so much about
that" answered the Mayor. They
may and they may not"
Alderman Oliver made the point that
the amendment to except the Stand
ard Oil Company would be unconsti-
tutional and the city attorney, when
appealed to by the Mayor, agreed. A
general clause would have to be in
serted to except any one concern. de-
fining limits, or conditions, which
would let that concern out.
Alderman Oliver wanted to know If
there was any objection to the COM
pany storing its oil and gasoline out
side the city. Lives and property
would be endangered If the company
was excepted he said.
''The city has grown up to the COM
pany," said Alderman Dixon. 1T was
on the edge of town, when it was built
there, and the city has grown around
1t. If it went out a mile or so, the
city would grow out to it in few
years"
Limiting City's Expansion.
''Wel we don't want to limit the
expansion of Savannah for the con-
venience of the Standard Oil Com
pany do WEI" asked Alderman Oliver.
Alderman Davant asked if the rep
resentatives of the Standard Oil Com
pany had spoken to any one in Coun-
ell about the ordinance, as the state
lnent had been made that they had not
complained Alderman Dixon said
they had spoken to him, and asked
him to bring the matter up. A deal
er had also requested him.
Alderman Thomas moved to recon-
init the ordinance. This was carried,
Aldermen Thomas Grayson, Schroeder,
Dixon and Wright, voting for the mo-
ton, and Aldermen Davant, CAVITY
Oliver and Glatigny voting against it.
Alderman Oliver objected to the ordi-
nance going to his committee any
more. He had had enough Of it.
Alderman Davant moved to recon-
slider the whole matter, and Aldermen
Thomas told him he could not. as he
had voted on the losing side.
THAT is not parliamentary law and
] will leave it to the city attorney"
answered Alderman Davant.
Attorney Doesn't Make Rules.
"The city attorney doesn't make the
rules for Council" put in the Mayor.
''No sir. we have our rules and the
alderman is out of order" agreed AL
derman Dixon.
The Mayor found a rule and an
nounced the motion would have to go
over to the next meeting.
After other business was transacted
and Council was about TO adjourn, AL
derman Oliver exhibited a rule which
allowed the reconsideration at once,
provided some one voting on the win
ming side would make 1t. Alderman
Thomas made the motion, and il was
unanimously carried.
Alderman Oliver then urged the
amendment of the ordinance at once
If It was to be amended. He wanted
II passed at that session. Alderman
Thomas volunteered to stay all night
and consider It,
Transportation of Gasoline.
Alderman Grayson reminded the al
dermen that no provision had been
made for the transportation OF gaso-
line. Alderman oliver spoke OF gaso-
line being more dangerous than gum
powder, and Alderman Dixon used
that as an illustration OF the point
that its transportation should also be
regulated.
Alderman oliver said he thought the
suggestion would have been more op-
perfume II n had been made 10 The
committee when the ordinance was
being considered .
Alderman Dixon replied he had ask
"a 90 - before the committee.
Alderman oliver said he had never
heard - ihe request. and be was told
~ Wa made Iona ago when Col Cold