Evening star., 1947-01-26
Peril Of Seepiing
Gasoline Defied
By20 Families
Stoy On in Homes;
Source Of Leakage
Still Unknown

Twenty families remained in their
homes in Arlington's gasoline
soaked area last night while the
key phase of the investigation into
the mysterious underground seep-
age moved in circle with the
source still undetermined.
Three child wards of the Arling-
ton Welfare Department who were
staying in nursery maintained at
544 North Pollard street by Mrs.
Julia Money. were removed by well
fare officials yesterday. Their re-
moval followed a warning by
County Manager Frank c. Hanra-
han to % families to move from
the area because of "the danger
which may exist by reason Of
the present gasoline leakage and
gasoline fumes" Most of the 20
admitted they would move If they
could. Two other families took the
county managers advice before 1t
was given.
The phase of the investigation,
now going into its third week, which
appeared stynied was the checking
OF three large empty gasoline stor-
age tanks owned by the Washington,
Virginia & Maryland Coacr Co., and
located near the Fifth and North
Pollard street area containing gaso-
line-filled water wells.
Other Tanks Being Tested.
A 17000-gallon tank now being
used by the bus company was ex-
cluded from the list of II possible
sources by tests which determined it
to be free of leaks. Tests are par
TALLY completed on other tanks now
in use by nearby gasoline stations,
a construction firm and the garage
of the Chesapeake g. Potomac Tele-
phone Co.
County Fire Chief A. c. Scheffel
made a special trip to the bus COM
pany terminal yesterday morning
especially to check the three tanks
not now in use. But, he reported
to Mr.. Hanrahan, he did not test
them because H. H. England, gen.
eral manager of the bus company.
said he would rather wait until he
conferred with officials of the firm.
Mr.. England told Chief Scheffel he
would get in touch with Mr.. Hanra-
han later in the day.
Mr.. England told reporter the
whole matter had been referred to
the firms attorney. The latter.
Thomas w. Phillips, said he had told
Commemorative Attorney Lawrence
w. Douglas at 1880 am. yesterday
that it was all right to make tests
on the empty tanks. Mr.. Douglas
could. not be reached last night but
Mr.. Scheffel said he had not re-
ceived any word from the common
wealth's attorney.
Army Engineer Called In.
All Army engineer who was called
into the investigation by Mr.. Fanra-
han is scheduled to get in touch with
the county manager tomorrow to
decide when to begin drilling in the
affected area. The drilling Is ex-
pected to determine the direction
of the gasoline flow and the extent
of the area it covers.
Mr. Hanrahan, however, said hs
ana Che engineer, Maj. j. F.. Mckay.
had agreed not to Start drilling until
Ill storage tanks had G>en checked
And the county manager e.,hasized
that al incIuoeo eiiooo Vi '-' bus
company.
Chief Scheffel said he doubted il
he could begin tests until tomorrow.
The tests, he explained. Involve
pumping out the tanks, now filled
with water, and then measuring
air pressure.
Oil Companies Cooperate
Bureau of Standards tests failed
to determine the source or the orano
of gasoline. Three major Oil COM
panies are cooperating with county
in checking the amount
of gas used by service stations IN
the area. The Bureau OF STANDARDS
tests indicated the gas is straight.
rather than high octane as flrst
thought when first discovered two
weeks ago. They also indicated the
possibility that the seepage is not
coming from a fresh supply but
rather from a pocket in the earth
which probably was filled from
leak a long time ago. More than
5000 gallons have been taken from
the wells to date by crew OF county
employees.
A special fire truck equipped with
chemicals to fight gasoline fires was
stationed at the Ballsten f1re mouse
last night by Chief scheffel. The
Ballston fire house is about 10 blocks
from the scene. A policeman Is on
duty at Fifth and North Pollard
streets at all hours and three houses
with oil-filled wells on the premises
are roped off.