Trying To Move Oil Tanks Of Dean & Co. On First St.

The movement which has been brewing ever since the barn burned adjoining Dean & Co.'s oil tanks between Liberty and William streets, at which time the tanks caught fire, culminated Monday in a petition to the council signed by L. J. Hoffstetter and 30 others, asking for the removal of "the large tanks and warehouses containing great quantities of extra combustible substances, kerosene oil and gasoline, thereby threatening the peace and safety of citizens of that locality." The petitioners also represented "that in subdivision 5 of section 88 of the charter, the council was given power to remove and abate nuisances created by the storing of said extra combustible and hazardous oil and gasoline." 

President Walz referred the petition to the fire committee and the city attorney. 

Ald. Schlenker wanted the petition referred to the city attorney and ordinance committee with instructions to draw up an ordinance preventing the storage of combustibles within two blocks of residences. 

After some discussion, City Attorney Kearney said he did not think the council could pass an ordinance now that would affect Dean & Co. It would be better to refer the matter to some committee to see if the tanks are a nuisance and if so to recommend what steps be taken to abate them. 

Ald. Fischer thought there was an ordinance now concerning the matter. The oil tanks will come up at a future meeting.