The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-31
THE ONLY REMEDY
Report : Made by the Citizens
Committee.
THE PROBLEM DISCUSSED
Two Big Flues the Gist OF the Recon-
mendation Made-The City and
County Should Contribute
Towards the Work.

taAt "AtCh Nv Cfiltht WAS 81
vile a few weeks ago a public meeting
was called to take place at the city
hall to consider the matter OF relieving
the situation. The meeting was quite
largely attended, but was a disappoint-
ment In that scarcely any business mea
or prominent citizens were present. At
the meeting. however. a smoke COM
mittee was appointed to inquire into
the subject with a view of recommend
ing some plan for permanently Kidding
the city of the obnoxious fumes. The
committee then appointed was instruct
ed to make Its report within 10 days.
The committee has taken a little longer
time h a that. but yesterday the re-
port WIS completed and signed by the
majority of the members of the COM
mittee. The report recommends big
hues as the only feasible remedy. The
report is subjoined:
Butte, Dec. %, 1seS.-Hon. +. 8. Har-
rington, Mayor-Sir: We the under
signed members of a committee ap-
pointed by you at a public meeting of
the citizens of this city. held for the
purpose OF discussing the smoke prob
lem,' beg leavet to submit to you. as we
were directed to do. his. our report:
Our instructions were:
IT examine n thoroughly exploit
the best. most feasible and practicable
means of getting rid of or abating the
smoke nuisance
w have patiently listened to and
respectfully considered several schemes
that were brought to our notice. none
OF which. however. have, in our judg-
ment, SUFFICIENT merit TO be worthy of
serious consideration by our citizens.
we shall not enter into any argu-
ment in an attempt to convince any one
or he gravity of the situation growing
out OF the presence of smelter fumes.
That the situation is serious. from
every point of view, is a generally ac-
ceDted fact. The public has been CON
WINGED of this for many years. as is evil
denced by their futile efforts covering
a period of 10 years 20 adopt a plan for
the abatement of what has so long been
called the smoke nuisance
The undersigned are unanimous IN
expressing the opinion that the only
feasible and practicable means of get
ting rid of the smoke is by the erection
OF n or two large fues, and connect
ing Herewith all of the smelters.
After consultation with many of our
citizens we feel warranted i'm saving
mat the above mentioned plan is ac-
cepted by nearly all as being the only
Ian worthy of considering.
Joseph III. Harper. who was appoint
ed with us or this committee. but who
has been unable to serve by reason of
absence from the city. has placed i'm our
hal copy ofAan exhaustive report
submitted by him TO the city council in
1872, when this same problem was being
discussed by the public.
In this re""-' he recommended the
erection of two fues. one on the sum
nit OF Grassy Butte with which the
Butte Reduction works and the Colo
rado Mining and Smelling company
plant should be connected. This wouId
carry away n distribute the fumes
from those two works more thar two
miles from the center of the city and
az an elevation of over $50 feet above
the valley.
The second iue to be erected on the
of the range through which the |
Central railroad has cut its
tunnel. With this fiue all the shelters
on the east sid commencing with the
should be connected. Through
this hue the fumes would be carried
fully three miles away from the center
OF the city and about 1000 feet above
the valley.
1t is our judgment that these recon-
mendations made by Mr.. Harper are
of more consideration and bet
ter treatment than our people gave
them.
I'VE have not sufici Mt data al hand
to justify us in expressing an opinion
as to the probable cost of such an nm
Mr.. Harper thinks il will
cost about $3.50. 600. These figures.
though large. should not appal a COM
like this.
methods by which such a large
or money can be raised for this
purpose Is too large a field for US to
enter. In fact our Instructions did not
contemplate that we discuss the WAYS
means feature of the question.
w respectfully recommend that n
meeting be called at an early
late Tor the purpose of discussing this
and effecting an organization to
this great enterprise. Allow
rs TO also suggest that an effective and
committee can only be had by
the services of men of recog-
lized ability i'm mining and smelling
ircles as well as business men. In this
we deem ii fitting and
roper to add hat ii is expecting too
much that busy men land only such !
re needed serve the public in this way
Without compensation.
The report and Mans. referred TO
Dove. made by Mr.. Harper to the city {
ouncil. can be a for use by any {
ommittee that may wish to go into
his matter more fully. Respectfully ]
ubmitted, J. f.. RICHARDS, !
wv. II. SWEET. I
CHARLES LANE" '
In reply to a request made by the
tandard for a fuller statement in re-
ard to the question than is contained !
4 the report. Ex-Governor Richards, I
Of the committee. IA yester-
AT h time this committee was ap- s
the people were considerably .
xercised over the prolonged presence
{ the smoke, which, from all accounts. I
as perhaps more distressing to the
eople than ever before. The atmo- t,
pheric conditions had been such for =
'me time as to allow the sulphur fumes a
settle over the city and hang over us. :
us by day n by night. r
'ithin "a hours after the public meet =
lg had been held the atmospheric con- =
Itions changed. We have ha most de- T
ghtful weather now for about 10 days. 5