Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-17
THEY DO GOOD SERVICE.
A Strict Law in an English City
Proves a Decided Benefit.
DEBATE AMONG THE SCENTS
Makes the Proof of Pittsburg's Great Need
Still Stronger.
CHICAGO FINDS THE MOVE A SUCCESS

up on the matter OF smoke prevention WAS
evidenced Enthusiastically last night at the
meeting of the Western Pennsylvania
Engineers Society, at the Academy OF
Sciences on Fifth street. 1t had been
announced that William Metcalf, the
well known iron manufacturer, was
to read q semi-negative paper on
the subject from manufacturers stand
point, and nearly every large manufactur-
ing establishment in the city was repre-
sented among those assembled TO hear 1t.
In addition to these and the regular
membership of the society, there was
large delegation of ladies, composing the
Health Protective Association.
Colonel W. P Rend, the prominent CHI
cago manufacturer, was present by invita-
tion. Mr.. Metcalf's presentation OF the
smoky subject had been skillfully prepared
and was listened to attentirely by all. He
declared first that in the manufactures that
have made Pittsburg the commercial center
of large area and one of the first cities OF
the most wonderful nation OF the
world the consumption Of smoke was
a practical impossibility, as the IN
tense heat would burn up the iron and prove
disastrous to the manufacturing establish
ments that are the prosperity OF the city.
He described the chemical composition OF
smoke. and in describing the effect of heas
on iron said the blue flame of perfect COM
bustion where there is little or no smoke,
is inferior to the white or radiating fame
which makes smoke.
Would Burn Up the Iron.
In too intense heat the oxygen in iron
is consumed and the iron burns away. Con-
tiruing he described puddler's opera
tions, the different effects of heat on iron,
oxidation and the loss of iron to the manu-
facturer. Natural gas in common furnace
did not make much smoke, but the loss of
gas was great Pittsburg, in the
five years it has had of clear
skv. consumed supply enough for 30
years consumption. He described the
three stages of an ordinary fire-the first
when fire is freshly fed and there is a
dense smoke; the second when there is
good fire and little smoke, and third, per-
feet combustion and no smoke. With the
last so much fresh air rushes over the sur
face OF the fire as to carry off the heat, and
the steam pressure falls. A partial remedy
for the first stages is an automatic stoker,
but thev do smoke little and the nuisance
is onlv eluded, not abated. As to the loss
bv smoke, he said, the best authori-
ties placed it at from to per
cent The best and most economic
appliances might cause saving in hest, but
would not result in an entire absence of
smoke. Mr.. Metcalf next referred to coke
as a means of getting rid of smoke, but, he
said, the deadliest and most disagreeable
smoke is that from coke ovens. OF course
4l, of
the cities, but it was pity that the whole
face of nature in the vicinity of coke manu-
factories must be smeared with their smoke
deposits to save few works of art in the
cities
Some Legislation Is Needed.
He admitted that some legislation
against excessive smoking would be
beneficial, but prohibitory laws
would only repeal themselves.
As a solution of the difficulty he sug-
gested that someone discover how to con-
vert pure heat into electricity, then reverse.
In conclusion he maintained that there was
nothing unhealthy about smoke, in proof of
which he said Pittsburg always had had a low
death rate. In spite of the clear air and sea
hreezes of other cities they are not healthier
than we are. He commented on the beauti-
full and healthy women of Pittsburg and
said fake of SCOT one of their noses
looked no worse than the black patches
they used TO assume for beauty spots and
when a young man happened to remove one
it did not taste half as bad as sticking
plaster.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Metcalfs paper,
H. X. Porter was introduced. He opened
his remarks bv saving he represented the
Ladies Health Protective Association on
whose behalf he would demonstrate
he hi1itv of croot-a
tion by communications on the sub
ject received from where smoke prevention
was enforced. The first letter was
lengthy and comprehensive essay from
Wilson King, an American, now located at
Birmingham, England. 1t stated that Birm-
ingham, although a manufacturing city of
half million inhabitants, was using BIZ
luminous coal, but compared with Chicago,
Cincinnati or Pittsburg was comparatively
clean.
What Consumers Have Done.
This was the result of smoke consuming
act and the public spirit which enforced it.
The act only related to manufactures and
steam engines. Dwellings were not inter-
fered with. 1t provides that where smoke
is not consumed in such places, notice of
IA days is given, and if the nuisance is not
abateJ fine is imposed. 1t is not expected
that all smoke shall be consumed,
but court of appeal is provided
which passes upon case of
infraction and RENTS fines when
it is shown an honest effort is made to abate
the nuisance. The Health Inspectors and
police attend to the enforcement of the law
and in 1889 313 manufacturers were re-
ported for violation. As result of this
law it has been found that some maaufac-
tories cannot be operated without nroduc-
ing considerable smoke, but in a majority
of cases it has proven an economy.
The next letter was from c. F. White,
consulting engineer of the Society for the
Prevention of Smoke, of Chicago Mr.
White states that it is perfectly possible
and reasonable to use smoke consumers on
steam boilers and for general man
utacturing purposes, as it had
been demonstrated in Chicago
In conclusion Mr. Porter made short ad-
compelled to work so hard on account of the
dirt from smoke. He thought great deal
could be done to lessen the nuisance.
w. f. Koch, General Manager of the
Spang Steel and Irou Works at Sharpsburg,
cOntradicted some of the statements made.
He had served his apprenticeship in Birm-
ingham, England and knew something
about it. 1t is sad sight in that city to-
day. The streets may be clean and the
smoke gone, but it is because the men who
made the smoke are gone. Steel
has taken the place of iron and
the steel is made in Scotland,
and all the small iron works have gone
from Birmingham. He endorsed Mr. Met
calf, and said the smoke might be lessened
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