New-York tribune., 1896-09-03
UNNECESSARY NOISES.

4 Society for the Prevention of Noise, with
n charter and legal powers and responsibilities
analogous TO those Of the Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Children. is advocated by DR.
J. H. Girdncr in "The North American Review.
He gives good scientific reasons for believing
that the continued conclusion of unplca SAINT
sounds on the auditory apparatus is injurious TO
the nervous system ana Il contributing element
10 the list Of nervous prostratons so common
among city dwcllcrs. countryman who comes
10 New-YorIl finds himself weared and almost
stupclicl by the multitude Of sounds though he
makes no physical eXerton. The city man gets
used To it," but it must be at the expense of his
vital force and how much of an unconscious
strain IT is upon him is ev dent from the annoy
ance the noises cause him when he is otherwise
weary and has 20 surplus vitality to bear the
shocks with routine unconscOusness Dr. Grid
ncr says that one sense has as much right 10
legal protection as any other and that the ncon-
sistency of furnishing man who wanionly
slashes another with Il whip. doing him no in
jury. only making a momentary unpleasant i'm
pact on the nerves Of touch. while looking on a
person as a unatic who should complain of hav-
ing his auditory nerves assaulted 10y horn-blow-
crs. is an instance of the provcrba long suffer
ing Of the American under abuse.
The noises of the city are enumerated by DR..
Girdncr in six classes. There are the noises Of
horses and vehicles. of street musicians. beggars
and pedlcrs, of bells, whistles and clocks. Of
eats. birds and similar animals, of people inside
houses learning music and engaged in other
sound-producing occupations. and the noises
caused 10y explosives Some of these noises are
necessary; others, if not necessary. are at least
bp .npp of an rhn lo,
tor may object TO hearing his neighbor take
music lessons. bur it Is a rather fantastic remedy
which he suggests in proposing that teachers
should have their classes In the country But
passing over these sounds there Is a vast array
of other noises which are not in the least neccs-
sary. which result from careless Indifference To
the comfort of others. and from needless ways
Of conducting certain kinds of traffic after fash
ions appropriate enough in thinly settled
region, but entirely out of place in a crowded
city. The sound Of vehicles is n necessary noise
but ii is one which could be much diminished by
the wider use of asphalt the use of newer de-
vices in place of the old. loose. iron manhole
covers. and care on the part Of drivers that their
carts should not be jolted about with doors bang
ing and parts rattling One OF the greatest af-
nlctions TO the ear is the Changing OF iron beams
rs they are dragged through the streets and
this could easily be prevented II the cartmen
would stuff few pieces OF burlap or old blankets
between the irons.
The tradcsmen's street cries are entirely un-
necessary. and should be abolished. Their Use
Is purely matter Of tradition and trade would
he quite a. brisk II those who utter them went
from house TO house and asked for orders In
qulclness The street musician may have some
friends, bui they should be- compelled to ill their
souls with harmony In some other way. The
church bell and the striking clock make n strong
appeal to sentiment. but. after all. they nre n
nuisance and In an age Of cheap watches are Of
little use. DIR. Glrdner thinks the cat might be