The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-18
TIE Fat Melting Embellishments.

TIE Fat Melting establishments.
MEETING or rHB HEALTH COMMITTEE ON TIB SUB
wCT-THB COMMITTEE NOT YET READY TO Re
poRr-rssrIMOsY or INTENSIFIED PARTIES, ETC.
meeting OF the Committee on Public Health, OF the
Board Of Aldermen, held in No. 10 City Hail.
at half past O'Clock yesterday Afternoon 10 hear tes
timony relation TO the fat melting establishments,
against which many complaints have been made 10
City Inspector The committee consists Of Messrs
Masterson, Long and Ottwell, Aldermen Hardy and
Ryers, acting ex.ofhcio members.
The Chairman calling the meeting 10 order stated
that the object for which they met was 10 give an op
pertunty TO parties engaged this peculiar business to
present themselves and furnish whatever information
they could upon the subject. Citizens opposed 10 the
melting or fat within the city limits had beard IN
relation TO the matter and only Just 10 give those
whose interests most involved like opportunity.
AZ No west Ih,rty.nntb street was The first witness
examined by the committee He said that ne had been
engaged in fat rendering for long series OF years,
and considered the eifuvia arising from
melted fat to be- Injurious 20 health He only
used beer fat, and melted il while II was fresh SO
that poisonous gases could be generated rom such
material. There thing, however, which no adj
mtted, and that that dsagreeaole odor was pro-
duced the process fat melting TO those who
no, accustomed TO it, he denied emphatcaly that it
injurious 10 health. He referred 10 q fat melting
esablishmept in Elizabeth street. in the heart OF the
city, which had been in operation for forty years,
and had been complained Of The amount OF money
annually expended In this city in this business according
OF twelve hundred Thousand dollars; and II tho firms
engaged in the business were compelled TO discontinue
their operations IL would oniai heavy loss on those
Immediately interested and would withdraw large
amount OF capital now proltly employed IN the cry.
In to question TO whether not IN his ludg
ment the pos Of heavy fines by the city upon every
establishment that neglected to keep their premises clean
would effect the desired reform, he said he considered
that result could be accomplished tho lines were rigid.
ly enforced
Several citizens, who came to the meeting to advocate
the removal OF these establishments advanced their
cuar and diversified views regard to the matter One
gentleman suggested that the only practical way Of over.
moving all THESE establishments slaughter houses, &c,
beyond the city limits and IL the removal made
general would give no cause Of complaint on the ground
or Partially.
The Chairman OF the committee informed the gentle
that the meeting called TO hear tho defence OF
engaged in the business, aud not to consider what
the best plan OF dealing with the subject.
Mr.. Hall, an extensive manufacturer OF tallow, 10
Elizabeth street, addressed the committee in nearly the
terms Mr.. Van Iverstine, and contended that
there nothing detrimental TO health in The odor
arising from fat melting. He said there Old man
no had been employed in the establishments which he
represented who had attained the patrarchal OF
eighty -four, aud had been the husband OF i've wives,
which he considered proof as strong as holy writ that
the business was not injurious 10 health. This
testimony was corroborated by another gentle.
man, VINO said he had been engaged IN one OF the
extensive fat rendering establishments in the world
which was located in London, in the immediate vicinity
or 81 Paus church. and that the odors arising from the
heated fat considered healthy that consumptiye
patients from Brompton and all parts OF England
nhale them, and the effect produced quite bene-
fetal. considerable amount Of testimony Of similar
character produced but nothing OF practical nature
suggested by any OF the parties present. and the
Chairman Of the committee Informed the meeting that
communications from parties interested either tor
against the removal OF these establishments would
received aud duly considered by the comm ee previous
TO making their report TO the Common council. The
Chairman then declared the meeting adjourned aud stated
nat the committee would probably report in the course
o