New-York tribune., 1906-04-28
AFTER THE GARAGES
GASOLINE IN SEWERS.
Recent Explosions Traced to Waste
oil in Mains.

Action was taken yesterday by Borough Presi-
,.,, Ahearn and Health Commissioner Darlington
srainst the owners Ct garages on the West Side
a, the district where several sewer explosions
save recently taken place The last explosion was
!. Tuesday. and there have been three within
month.
--re action which will compel owners Of garages
:. bsve private sewers for the disposal e gaso-
L.. and embodes an ordinance TO be introduced
!. ,be Roard OF Aldermen making it a misde-
r,,anor not 10 do so, follows a report from DR..
RS, 7 Ieaerle who had been engaged an ex-
-e-t 10 ascertain the causes for the explosions.
n Tederle laid al the blame 10 the garages and
- ,be easolene which allowed to run of in
tne public sewers
,-red by Dr. Darlington.
r. Roara Of Health issued the following state
-,.rt after DR. Lederle had made his report and
!, had been sent 10 DR.. Darlington;
An managers owners. or other persons respon-
sbe for ne operation oI sSIseS ssio n have @ eITe
y. lie l7sf few weeks were summoned 20 this ofice
ia informed that under no circumstances must
arc arc cssoere be allowed TO escape into the house
Srsfs and thus into the sewers Of their premises
y Ia srv - -asolena were found flowing from their
premises into the sewers, a prompt arrest would would
!. ss-sinr relce from this Office make the ar
tor The washing of the machines on the wash
stands N such manner that ii might enter the
housr drains.
n I,a5srls. in his report 10 Borough FreSldent
.hea-- gives the names of twelve garages, where
So saws the escapr - gasoleue is largest
Dr LederIe ssys thst the suggestion that the
.u,o-s n The district h- ventilated by removing
tho covers Of nenholes has been carried out and
,ron pines have heen placed in position over the
open r7anholes in many places. This has relieved
me conditions materially. ne reports. and he hopes
,be-eby 10 minimize the danger Of forcing gases
and vapors from the sewers into the adjoining
houses
On Iederle stated that in his opinion the eK-
posions have been caused by gasolene or gasolene
vspors and that the condition Of extreme
dsneer snd every effort should he made 10 locate
definitely the course If tho gasolene- Continuing.
he wrote.
We viii obtain al once from the Fire Department
complete lis of all places IN this district holding
permits store gasolene. and careful inspection
should be made Of each Of these places, particular
attention being given 10 the nfthod or storage tilo
probability OF leakage Of gaSoere. either liquid or
Informed Dr Walter Benscl Of the above facts. and
requested him detail inspectors to aid I'm locating
am Of The opinion that when The proper evidence
IS obtained. the Department Of Health could issue
orders for immediate abatement Of the nuisance
which rs undoubtedly detrimental 10 life and health
Dr Lederle submitted second letter to Mr.
Ahearu. iu which he stated that Dr. Walter Bensel
assistant sanitary superintendent Of the Board OF
Health. has sent three inspectors. and that they
viii obey pr. Ledere and work under him. They
viii examine tho garages with a view Of deternin-
ine whether easoleno or Easolene vapors are ois-
charged from them into the sewers
Borough President Ahearn in speaking OF tho
report aud his Intended action said,
The ordinance which 7 viii have introduced in the
Board of Aldermen anc which 7 expect will he
ee 5ys tb Ss', - a.!s ~ lei'7saoos o use @t saso
engagements for Tho disposal Of the mud ] win en-
one ar that and 7 VIII see II sometbing can'. be
done 10 op these explosions