The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-15
BUTTE News.
OPINION WAS DIVIDED
Scores of People Watch the
Smoke Consumer.
THERE IS MERIT IN IT
But the Present Test Was Made Under
Unfavorable Circumstances and
Was Disappointing and
Unsatisfactory
THERE IS MERIT IN IT

Scores of people yesterday went down
to the Union Steam laundry at Mercury
and Colorado streets to see how the
smoke consumer of j. III. Mitchell work
ed. The consumer was on all day and
the people struggled down by ones, twos
and threes to see how the invention was
getting along. Some were content with
a stare at the smoke stack outside, while
others went into the engine room and
examined the apparatus more closely.
The people who went down to see the
work of the consumer were pretty we'll
divided in their opinion. Some thought
il burned a large share of the smoke
and others could not see any difference.
1t was pretty generally agreed that the
test was not satisfactory in that at any
rate il did not show beyond doubt or
dispute that the smoke is consumed.
Nearly all the time there was some
smoke coming out of the stack-some-
times more and sometimes less. Occa-
sionally the smoke was scarcely per-
ceptible But those who had been led
to believe that the smoke would be
entirely consumed-that pigeon could
rest on the top of the stack-were GER
tainly disappointed. The consumer may
consume some of the smoke, and prob
ably does. but as operated yesterday 1t
certainly did not consume ii all, ana al
times, and especially when firing up.
there was scarcely and difference to be
discerned between the volume of smoke
issuing from the stack when the con-
sumner was on and before 1t was put III.
II was pretty generally believed that
there is merit TO Mr.. Mitchelfs device.
but that 1t was not operated succAa5-
fully and that il needs to be tested un-
der better conditions before it can be
said to fill Butte's long-felt want. Mr..
Mitchell explained the fact that the
consumer does not do the work COM
pletely that his fan is not large enough
for the work and he is not able TO so to
the expense of getting fan large
enough in order to make an experiment.
AS a consequence the test is unsatisfac-
tory and certainly leaves the unscienti-
fic observer in doubt to how much
merit there is in the apparatus. An
other unfortunate feature about the test
is that the smoke leaks out of the doors
and drafts in the furnace and iills the
engine rooms with smoke.
Charles Lane, one of the members of
the smoke committee appointed by
Mayor Harrington, went down to see
the apparatus once more and was not
satisfied.
What do you think of it?" asked Mr..
Mitchell.
you are not burning the smoke at
ALL replied Mr.. Lane.
Il am burning so per cent. of 1t, de-
clared the smoke man.
You are not burning per cent of 1t, f"
returned Mr.. Lane. My eyes are pref
fy good and | can't see it,
You don't want to see it, said Mr..
Mitchell.
Don't call me prejudced.' said Mr..
Lane. There's nobody less prejudiced
than I am. | was anxious to see you
succeed. We all in Butte want To sec
your smoke consumer consume smoke.
But can't see that IL does and won't
say so until l do see il"
Mr.. Mitchell admits thatsthe consumer
as operated yesterday did not burn all
the smoke, but he claims that ii burns
most of il, and that II is "A perfect
smoke consumer when perfectly con-
structed. He says that on the plant
where he is experimenting the stack Is
too high and he needs "A larger fan ard
condenser, but he did not have the
money to put them in,
The consensus OF opinion of those who
visited the plant yesterday was thai
there is some merit in the consumer
but being operated under unfavorablt
conditions the test is disappointing and
unsa tisfactory.