Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-03


nuisance injurious to health, consisting Of an
establishment or place OF business on q street,
between jth and 9Th streets northwest, where
lat and tallow is boiled and soap manufactured.
This case before the Police Court Yesterday
is instituted by the Board of Health. The es-
Enlistment in question Is situated in neigh
borhoOd devoted altogether to manufacturing
and mechanical pursuits, and has been con-
Quoted with 30 much care and regard to clean
illness by its proprietor, an old and much re-
spected citizen, that the residents have almost
unanimously signed a memorial favorable to
its retention; consequently some surprise has
been created by the pertnacity OF the raid made
neglecting to attend to real nuisances, the sub
ject of universal complaint. like the ''odorless''
night soil humbng, and the fostering manure
heaps in South Washington. 1t has been sug-
gested that il the Boards pet "odsrless" eS-
cavatiDg nuisance had been located on the site
of the soap and candle factory, 1t would not
have been deemed at all offensive.
Mr.. II. ID. Beam appeared for the board and
Mr. james Williams for defendant. The latter
filed plea of jurisdiction, taking the ground
that the Police Court Is not properly instituted
10 try the case. The court oyerruled the plea,
and Mr.. Beam stated what he expected to
prove, that the place is great nuisance and
injurious to health.
Inspector James A. Smith, for the prosecu-
ton, testified to the manner of doing business
at this soap factory, and that although great
care was used by the proprietor it was impossi-
bic TO prevent the escape of noxious gases,
and he, as inspector, had recommended its re-
moval from the city as the only effective means
of abatement. He had served a notice requir-
ing such removal from the health officer upon
the proprietor who had taken no steps to this
end.
The resolutions adopted at a meeting of the
Board of Health IN relation to this alleged NUS
ance were put in evidence.
Health Officer Keene testified that he had IN
spected the place complained of; found the
crude material used in manufacturing soap
LAYING around in quantities, and that foul aud
offensive gases are emitted from them. The
vicinity Is densely populated, and much com
plant is made. The odOrs induce sickness and
nausea and are productive of diseases, causing
indigestion, and operate on the nerves of the
stomach iDjuriously and render life less secure
and enjoyable. On cross examination the doc
tor stated that he had never been called upon
TO attend patient made sick by this nuisance.
He described the chemical nature of these
gases and their effects upon the membranes of
the nasal organs and stomach, showing their
deleterious effects. Mr.. Bates had kept the
premises in a very cleanly state.
Dr. I. 5. Verdi, member of the board and
former health officer, testified that the premises
complained of are composed of miserable sh an
ties in the middle of the city surrounded by
men, women and children, who live there. He
had inspected the premises in company with
DR.. Cox, and the latter
GREW QUITE PALE
from the effects of the stencil while In there.
DR.. Verdi proceeded 10 depict the eject of that
bad smell upon his esteemed colleague in elo-
quent terms, leaving it to be understood tn at he
feared the injury was permanent, and that
DIR. G. would always wear the pallOr and look of
had found fats fresh and sometimes in a state OF
decomposition. The gases arising therefrom
are unquestionably detrimental to health.
These fats are boiled together, and effiuvia
arising are poisonous to the system. On cross
examination the doctor admitted that he had
not inspected the place within the past year.
He would say, however, that MIR. Bates had
tried to conform to the wishes of the board, and
keep his place as clean as circumstances would
admit.
DR.. Cox. of the Board of Health, testified that
he bad visited the place, in company with DIR.
Verdi, about one year ago; He found that a
very great nuisance existed at that time; the
odor was such that it made him
QUITE SICK;
he had since been in that neighborhoOi, and il
was his opinion that the nuisance complained
of is injurious to health.
on discrimination, DIR. Cox stated that the
odOIs do not affect all alike; some are perhaps
not affected at all, while others of more deli
cate sensibilities are made sick, and persons at
Iected with low types of disease are very easily
and very injuriously affected. He desired to
say that the board, nor no member of il, felt
any desire to persecute these gentlemen, and it
was with great reluctance that they COM
menced these suits; but their duty to the public
required prompt action. The rest of his testi-
mony was mainly cOrroborative of that given
by DIR. Verdi.
The Court here intimated that much time and
expense might be saved by cutting short this line
OF testimony. Ii was not necessary to prove that
the nuisance complained of Is injurious to
health; he would take the common law and the
ordinances of the Board of Health to guide him
in the decision, and let them introduce the
testimony before the higher court.
MIR. Williams here interrupted to say that he
desired to introduce witnesses, and among them
medical men and chemical experts, to prove
that the place is not nuisance, and that the
odOrs complained of are not injurious to health.
The Judge said it was not necessary to do
that; as before intimated, all that is necessary
Is to show him that the gases and odOrs render
life less enjoyable, and under such testimony
the place would, according to the English courts,
be deemed a nuisance.
Mr.. Williams asked postponement of iudg-
rent until Thursday; which the judge as,ented
to, and the case rests until that time.
WORK OF THE WoMEN's CHRISTIAN AssO-
cIATIoN.-Y esterday afternoon the board of
directors of this institution held a regular
monthly meeting at the Home of the AssOcia-
ton, on 18th street, near X. Mrs. VIM. Stick
ney, president of the board, occupied the chair,
and Mrs. Bascom, the secretary, reported the
condition OF the affairs of the association as
eminently satisfactory. Statistics submitted by
the employment and foster home committees
showed that thirty-two children and sixteen
adults are at present cared for at the Home,
while employment is being obtained by many
over Davis fancy store, to which Mrs. Halves is
giving an exclusive and unsaaried superintend-
ence. The report of Mrs. DIR. j. Ta5er John
son showed about 50 900 in the hands of the as
ISOLATION. Committees were appointed to col
lect and summarize the results of the present
years labors to submit in the annual report of
the association to the public of Washington at
the annual meeting to be held in January next.
The association has secured valuable and e.
tensive real estate on 18th street, between Il
and y, and erected temporary frame buildings
answering Its immediate purposes.
THR HENRY STREET RAILROAD TRACK IN
ALExANDRIA.-Our city, through her council
and officers, has lately manifested decided OPP
position to railroads, or at least to some rail-
roads. And no little excitement has grown out
of her claim to the ownership of the Henry st.
track. The truth has been discovered to be
that the city has no claim whatever to the track
council having granted the use of the street to
the W. & A. railroad in 1866, and it having
never been abandoned" at all. The condition
of the street, however, caused by the railroad,
may make the company liable to some process
of law, and should demand attention.-Aler.
Td.) Sentinel. ID.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY OFFICERs.-The
republicans elected to county Offices in Prince
Georges county, Md, are entering upon their
duties. Under the new regime Mr.. Harrison
Wallis has been sworn in and has appointed +.
NJ. Magruder, jr., as his deputy for the six lower
districts OF the county. The new board OF
county commissioners will organize this week