Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-13
VARIOUS NEEDLESS NOISES.
Annoyances That Might Well BE Avoided.
Laws in Berlin and Paris.

Among the injurious influences Of city
life is incessant noise; and 1t Is because
IL is continuous, not because Of its in
tensity, that it produces injury to the
nervous system as surely as the steady
dropping of water wears away the hardest
stone. This simile is apt, because not
before there has been considerable wear is
it perceptible, and then, too often. repair
IS impossible; the best that can be done
is to prevent further mischief. There is
popular theory that one becomes used
TO the steady rattle Of poorly made wagons
over unevenly paved roadways, but ex-
periments have shown that this idea is
altogether wrong. Being satisfied that
the thousand noises Of the street are
harmful, there has been much study 20
discover ways for their prevention.
In the course Of these researches the
uselessness Of many noises. purposely
made, has been fully demonstrated. Such.
for instance, as the ringing Of milkmen's
bells $50 long a custom in New York that
it is hard work to convince the nilkmen
or their customers Of its neeclessness),
the jingling Of bells on the street cars.
the Changing OF church bells, the blowing
OF steam whistles Oh locomotives and fac
tories, have in various places been found
entirely unnecessary and have been abol-
ished- Ia Boston we escape some of these
annoyauces, but the absurd custom Of
hanging bells On the poles Of the street
cars is still kept up, and, Of course. Will
be until the law requiring il Is repealed
The bells have been taken from the street
cars IN Munich, and II another example is
needed 10 show their real uselessness
there is the fact that we do without them
on Sundays according 20 law. weekly
presented to us for imitation through ths
remainder of the week
Abroad, where they manage some things
better than we. they have made con
siderable progress in the prevention q
harm from noises that are possibly tn
avoidsbie In Berlin heavy laden carts
are not permitted On certain streets. and
on others must always walk A similar
law exists in Paris where, moreover. drays
laden with rafting objects (iron rods or
rails. timber. chains. barrels for . few
examples) must have their loads SO &c
cured that motion Is inpossibls.
But leaving the street and entering tbs
railway car, the house OF the otEcs. let
Is see il there are not many harmful
noises which are within the power Of the
individual 70 stop. To slam tbs door. ca
entering or lesv.ay. WIS long incontro-
vertible evidence OF q mans vuigs-ify Of
nature Then there came into use host
% automatic contfvances 20 close the
door after those needless fellows who
would leave 1t opea though Boreas
clustered bis hardest, AID doors zero
slammed more than ever Year ot tor
ture passed before mans ingenuity pro-
duced tie pncuna'.c devices b. The use
Ct which cocrs are automatically and
noiselesxly closed. and E2ura.rg Il ira-
possible. There Still remain 30 annoy
and 20 fret many small Noises abou: tie
house, the osics and tie ear Tie
thoughtful avoid making tkaa- TIE
thoughtless must De brougt. within
range Of pablo opinion. AMI Il not r.i16-
.CI % reb1ke nnst be subjected 70
social bcycc..-Bos,on Transcript