The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-10-22

HEARS EXPERT
TESTIMONY
ON THE GASOLINE EXPLOSION
AT ARDmORE - ACTION is DE.
FERREO UNTIL ALL DATA is
SlFTED.
From The Oklahoman)

AcuOn Dy the Oklahoma corpora
ton commission on the question OF
( prescribing additional regulations for
the transportation OF gasoline. if such
are deemed necessary to prevent a
repetition OF the Ardmore disaster
will be deferred until after agents
of the federal bureau o. explosives
have completed their investigation OF
the Ardmore explosion and submit
recommendations based upon the re,
suit Of their investigation.
This was the substance of state
ments made by members Of the com
mission Thursday afternoon following
the close OF the hearing at which
government explosive and meterologi-
cal experts as well as representatives
Of gasoline manufacturers and tank
car builders testified before the com.
mission, giving scientific testimony
concerning the dynamic effects Of
gasoline and the proper method Of
its handling to prevent explosion
while in process of transportation.
Data TO be Compiled.
4 statement of facts based upon
the testimony taken at the hearings
conducted by the corporation commits
sion. the coroner and the state fire
marshal at Ardmore Immediately fol-
lowing the disaster will be prepared
Immediately and the commission Will
use this, it was stated, in conjunction
with the report Of the federal bu-
reau O. explosives in arriving at its
decision. 1t was not intimated by
members of the commission whether
they thought additional regulations
to those already prescribed are nee
essary to safeguard the public against
explosions
Regulations already prescribed by
the interstate commerce commission
on the recommendation of the bureau
Of explosives, it is believed by many
familiar with the handling o. gasoline,
afford sufficient protection if properly
adhered to by carriers and shippers.
p W. Dunno, chief inspector Of
the bureau Of explosives. who oc'
culied the witness chair during most
of the hearing Thursday, told the
commission that the facts concerning
gasoline as developed by the investi
cation OF the Ardmore disaster, prob
ably would call for certain modifca-
tions of present interstate commerce
commission regulations relative to va
por tension on gasoline tank cars. 1t |
has been frequently suggested since |
the Ardmore explosion, and in fact
recommended by Mr.. Dune, that !
the state should adopt the interstate
commerce commission regulations .
with such changes and amendments
as are found necessary to conform
to local conditions.
The hearing Thursday was conduct
ed before Commissioners W. d.
and George A. Henshaw,
and was the last which will be held
on the Ardmore disaster by the COM
mission until such time as proposed
new regulations are promulgated, if
such is done.
The hearing Thursday had to do
solely with matters relating to the
handling of gasoline, the effect atmos-
lhere has upon it while being trans
ported in tanks and the question of
what should be done to minimize the
lhances of explosions through un.
avorable combinations of atmospheric
conditions and improper methods of
handling.
1t will be the purpose of the com
mission. it was announced by Com.
missioner Henshaw, to secure closer
cooperation on the part o. shippers
If gasoline with whatever rules are
aid down for the handling of gasoline.
Il is believed by many that present
,egulations are sufficient if strictly
observed. but this. it was declared,
$ not done.
Responsibility Placed.
Responsibility for the explosion at
\rdmore. which snuffed out tOrtyfour
ives and resulted in a monetary loss
If approximately S1OOo.00o, was vir-
ually placed upon officials o! the