The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-02
Chief Mooney Discovers Startling Conditions on Tour of Inspection-Dea1- CTS Hoard Thousands of Gallons.
ONE ROOF HELD CANS
 WITH 5000 GALLONS
Offenders Promptly Comply With Law-Had Stocked Up Anticipating Jump of 7 Gents in Cost of Gaso- line to Them. 3

Startling discoveries of the storage in garages of immense quantities of gasoline, in violation of the city ordi- nances, were made by Chief Mooney during an inspection yesterday and today of local garages
 This condition grew out of a desire on the part of the automobile dealers to take advantage of the terms of contracts, expiring Jan. l, with the Standard Oil Co., for the supply of gasoline at 10 cents a gallon.
 No arrests are expected, each deal or having at once taken steps to com threatened prompt and drastic action in event of continuance of the present illegal conditions. In one garage alone there were found no less than 5000 gallons, in -receptacleS of many sorts, piled on the flat roof of the building. This was in addition to the amount stored away in the regular receptacles for the explosive stuff.
 Under the law, gasoline cannot be stored in quantities of more than five gallons, unless by special permit of the chief engineer of the fire depart nent who at his discretion may allow up to one barrel to be kept under his supervision. This does not apply however, to the storage of gasoline in underground tanks There is no limit to the amount that may be kept in this manner.
 Until Jan 1 the Standard Oil Co. has served many dealers with gaso- line at 10 cents a gallon. Contracts were made with dealers until last After last July the company would make more contracts at that fig ure.
 The price of gasoline has been stead fly advancing for several years. Since fthe dealers were able to make the long time contracts at 10 cents with the rlv-4rRO H frN 17 cents. Dealers until the expiration of their contracts, were buying it 2 cents cheaper than others
 The dealers anticipating the extra cost to them after Jan. I took advan- tage of every means of stocking up with gasoline. In practically every receptacle was filled. Underground franks were filled to capacity then the cars were filled, then oil cans, many times especially bought for the pur- pose, and every conceivable sort of re- ceptacle was pressed into service.
 Yesterday Chief Mooney who had been apprfsed of the conditions, made a round of all the garages and his in Spectfon brought to light strange con- ditions. In one garage he found about S1o,OOo gallons. A saving of cents on the garage s7oo. At the retail price Of 23 cents, which is predicted by lead ing dealers, it means d profit of H,- 300.
 Chief Mooney read the riot act to the garage proprfetors and all hasten ed to comply with the law. Special containers were engaged, it is said. and placed in the outskirts, beyond the fire limits, for the storage of gas oline.
 James J. Kerwin, president of the Bridgeport Automobile Dealers associa.- tion, expects to call meeting of the dealers within a few days to discuss the problem of gasoline
 The retail price of gasoline until a fn no irons, and IS cents to transients But the dealers say now they must charge at least P cents in order to cover their overhead expenses and not lose money.