The New York herald., 1870-09-11
THE WAR OF TEE FAT FELLOWS.

Tho vacilIntin Policy Of the Health Commis-
si0n-(;ross Eav0ri,ism Charged-Thc Beck.
man Hill People Ignored-The West 6iac
Fat Boilers TO Resume Buslscss and Defy
thc Laws---What' tho Public Must Suffer In
the Future.
The citizens OF the west side OF the city who feci.
tated themselves upon their success In forcing the
Board of Health to drive the meters OF vile fat
ana butchers oral ana close the nurseries Of
stenches OF the most Objectionable character, are
likely TO have another opportunity to protest and
suffer.
The HERALD has devoted so much attention to the
subject Of fat-melting ana kindred nuisances that
nearly all its readers thoroughly understand the
grievances under which the public suffered. For
years the fat meters had fun sway and no Board of
Health dared to beard them in their dens and give
reAfef to the suffering thousands who stenched
by the vile exhalations from their establishments.
Finally public opinion and the press forced the
Board of Health to terminate the nuisances on the
west side, and to their credit be 1t said the mem-
bers Of the Health Commission aud Sanitary
superintendent Morris did 1t most enectually and
impartally. All the west side fat-meters yielded
ready obedience to the mandates Of the Board OF
Health and ceased the boiling business, expecting
as matter Of course that the settled policy Of the
Health Commission was TO close up all the establish
ments OF this character wherever located.
Several weeks passed and the residents OF Beck
man Hill who for years had valnly appealed to the
health authorities 70 relieve them Of two objection
river, foot OF Forty-nfth street, discover
ea that the Board permitted them to
continue business without permits. They sent In
numerously signed petition praying for relief but it
was pigeon-noled IN the Sanitarys Committee, and
Notwithstanding that the Sanitary Committee last
week inspected the establishments-sm Ely, Jr,s
and the Butchers Hide and Fat Ass0ciatOn-Dr.
arrest the Offenders, as he did those on the west
side. These establishments are daily running in
defiance OF the law, and DR.. Morris will not take the
responsibility TO stop them.
On Friday HERALD inspector visited them. He
found Smith Eiy's place boiling fat and stenching
the with foul smells; but otherwise the business
was conducted In unobjectionabe manner. The
Butchers Association gave forth but little odors,
very filthy and objectionable and there Is great
1t appears that the health authorities are disposed
to wink the violation OF the law by these cstab-
lishments, ana they offer reason for treat
! ing them as they have the west side boilers that
| these firms are putting In machinery OF improved
patterns and they wish to give them chance. 1t
Is also urged that these east side establishments are
the residents OF Beekman Hill when there SOUTH
east winds, which seldom occur. There is plainly q
desire on the part oil many Of the health authorizes
to c0untenance the violation OF the law BY these
places and the petitioners VIII not likely soon OBJ
But the worst thing Is yet to be told The west
side Offenders, who had assurances that the sup
preston t2 OF THIS SasneIs rs IN tne Dm up portion o.
| covered that the action OF the Health Com
mission Is calculated TO give to these east side places
monopoly Of the business and they have resolved
to renew their upon the Board. 1t Is openly de.
| clared by them that they Will at once resume the
business OF fat boiling the west side and fight the
Board OF Health TO the bitter end unless the health
officials make their suppression OF the business gen.
era, and show that tney have favOrltism in ad.
mnstering the laws rhe result Is likely to be tina
| all the good work accomplished by the Board this
summer in squelcing this vilest OF nulsances Will
be OF no avail and that the people must continue to
! suffer owing TO the vacilating policy or timid
Board OF Health.
Already the wealthy nronarfv ou,nare or tro an ,t
side begin TO despair OF securing any relief In the
| quarter to which they should look, and they have
| under consideration the convpning of mass meet
| ing lor the purpose OF placing their protest In
| tangible shape.