New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-03
STENcHFS or BiRREN ISLAND.

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE STATE HEALTH BOARDS
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The committee appointed by tho Stat" Board OF
Health 10 Investigate the alleged in~anltary condi-
ton Of EIrrcn Island resumed rs hearing y'sicr-
day IN the Office % President wilson Of the city
Board Of Health. Or. George l.. Fowler. Health
Commissioner OF Ncw-York. and mem ler u the
STATE Board Of Health. is prosecuting the case. In
which Long island people are especially Interested
since they have been the worst sufferers from the
overwhelming odors that hoat over nom Edrieh
Island. on Barren Island Is the plant OF the COM
pauy that has the cortrIct for disp1sihs OF the
garbage OF the city. There. also, are located sew
eral fertilizer companies. which according To the
complaints are responsible jointly with ia" garbage
company for the nuisance
owen Cassidy. chairman Of the investigating com
mittce. presided At the hearing yesterday ana III
Fowler and DR. +. W. Smith were also present.
John Fraakenheimcr appeared for the Barren
Island Fertilizer and oil Works, H. J. MckeeV'r
for the Brooklyn Onal Company. Thomas j. White
for the Sanitary Utilization Company ana NJ stem
field for the local Board Of Health.
Health Inspector John w Phillips. who has made
several tours Of examination on Barren Island was
the first witness. Mr. Frankcnheim+r asked Tor
delay but he was ovcrrued. and the bearing pro-
ceedei Mr. Phillips said Ice had visited Barren
Island several times and had examined several OF
the plants there among them being the +. Franz
Coc Fertilizer Complny's. The works OF THIS com
a
ings were poor and frall. much OF tho grease and
oil developed IN the company process oVerhoWed
the tanks and was Hoi properly drained on.
The witness also examined the Barren Island
Fertilizer and Oil Works. and he said that the con-
were OLD saturated with grease and rocking with
vcrmn. \ disgusting stencil arose from them
Much of the odDr was due To the animal matter
The companies dealt with. dead horses and cows
being numerous. Moreover. said the witness, some
of the plants were crowded with garbage they
could not handle at once. $3.50
The Inspector made an exception I'm favor or the
Brooklyn Onai Company whose plant. he SAID
was IN good condition. .
When Mr. Phillips had ended his testimony Mr.
Frankenhcimer again argued for delay. but Com
missioner Cassidy ordered that the cross-cXamina-
lion proc eed Mr.. Frankenheimer tried TO get the
witness TO describe more definitely me odors thal
arose from Barren Island. The witness replied
that the English language had no appropriate adj
jectves. , A., ILL.,,
mower OF different SORTS of odors, but the witness
William T. Dixon. of Far Rockaway ten niles
from Barren Island, was the next witness: lie
said the smells from the island awoke Far Rock
away folks at night. When the v iEd blew from
Barren Island all Far Rockaway windows were
Or Edward f. Martin, of the Board of Health,
said he had examined the plants. ana he backed
nm eyeryin ming the other witnesses said about the
smells He thought the odors were injurious 10
health and that buildings might be so constructed
az TO abate the nuisance. a.,
DR. Charles +. Roberts said that the fish plant
at barren Island was an outrage. ana that the