Evening star., 1898-02-19
IH.E SMOKE NUISANCE
Hearing Before the House Subcommittee
This Morning.
Members Of the Engtneers' Associa-
tiOn Oppose the Bill-Other
District Matters.

The subcommittee on ways and means OF
the District committee today took up
House bill 5SS7, to require the use of
oke consumers on smokestacks connect
ed with mills, factories and large buildings.
Mr. A. NJ. Lawson, J. J. Breen, w. J..
Jacobs, S. S. league, representing the or
ganization of Stationery Engineers of the
city, appeared before the committee.
They asked that the provision Of the bill
which seems to mold responsible the engi-
reers in charge of stationery engines for
smoke nuisance should be stricken out.
They said the engineers have nothing to do
with procuring smoke consumers, but un-
der the bill they are held liable with the
owners Of the property.
They also claimed that the bill is class
legislation in that 1t discriminates against
mills, but does not apply to steamboats, and
railway locomotives. He said the thick
black smoke from steamboats, blows over
the city as far north as Maryland avenue.
while the smoke from railway locomotives
Is a nuisance in the northeast southeast
and southwest sections. The locomotives
burn soft coal a rule and the smoke
goes into the second-story windows of the
houses.
They thought that the worst smoke nui-
sance comes from the locomotives.
The engineers were not aware that there
would be economy in the use of smoke con-
sumers on railway locomotives. They
thought IL such were the case the railways
would use them.
Plants In This City.
They said there were about $50 stationary
engine plants in this city. The use o.
smoke consumers might be economical to
the owners of stationary engines in the
long run, but would not save the cost o.
construction in short time.
The engineers said their association dis
approved a portion Of the bill, and, in fact
were inclined to oppose the bill as a whole
1t would have tendency to cause a change
in motor powers in small plants and throw
engineers out Of work.
The engineers said they were not aware
of any demands for the bill on the part of
the citizens.
No one appeared before the committee in
favor of the bill 1t is not considered like
ly that the bill will pass.
Powers of Orphans Court.
Mr. Curtis has introduced in the House
the bill offered in the Senate by Senator
Faulkner providing that all the powers and
jurisdiction by law held and exercised by
the Orphans Court of Washington county.
District Of Columbia, prior to the twenty
first day Of June, 1870, shall hereafter be
held and exercised by the justice holding
the special term of the Supreme Court for
Orphans Court business, subject always,
to the provisions of the act creating the
Court Of Appeals.
For Soldiers Monument.
Mr.. Alexander has introduced a resolution
in the House providing that the National
Reunion Monument Association. an organi-
zation chartered and incorporated under the
laws Of the District of Columbia for the
purpose of erecting a monument in the city
of Washington to the Union soldiers. sailors
and marines Of the war of the rebellion, be
authorized to erect the monument on such
government reservation in Washington as
may be designated by the Secretary OF
War, the design Of the memorial to receive
his approval.