The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-07

needless pain and discomfort on others
no matter which one of the senses Is
made to convey the painful sensation
| The very existence of a properly organ
lied and properly conducted Society fol
the Prevention of Noise would be con
slant reminder to the thoughtless, and
standing menace to the vicious noise
| makers, and would in time create sen
| tlment in favor of peace and quiet, and
educate people to respect the rights OF
others in this matter, just as the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal
has taught all classes to abstain from
unnecessary cruelty to the lower ami
mails.
DR.. Samuel H. Durgan, President OF
the Board of Health Of Boston, is quite
in agreement with DR.. Girdner regardine
| city noises of all sorts. He thinks it
| Impossible to exaggerate their bad ef-
fects upon nervous people. the over
worked, and even upon very many Of the
strong and healthy, for they subject the
drum of the ear to a strain it was not
intended to undergo. Even those who
than not are found to be suffering from
| them but without knowledge of the true
cause of their ills.
AT a recent meeting of the American
Public Health Association the subject
was very seriously considered, and il
was there agreed that by a very large
percentage these noises can be reduced
without in any respect interfering with
| the conduct of business. We believe that
all impartial thinkers will agree to that.
For 1T is patent to every one that many
of these noises are wholly unnecessary.
For instance We recently had our atten-
ton called in San Francisco to a terrible
ear-deafening din far UP business street
which increased in such volume and
with augmenting clatter as to render
conversation even in buildings quite i'm
possible. The cause was revealed as the
evil grew nearer, in two trucks tanGem
upon which was being hauled some great
tank and cylindrical concerns the roar
of which was intolerable.
1t was pointed out at the time that
ordinary blocking of the articles upon
the trucks would have reduced their
vibration seventy-fve per cent and
consequently have lessened the awful
din of their slow progress. 1t was also
pointed out that there was no necessity
whatever for the drivers of the vehi-
cles with this load to have taken the
course. of a crowded thoroughfare, since
there were just as good back and less
frequented streets, over which as short
a route could have been pursued, and
along which the terrible noise would
have been less annoying because OF
there being no other noises on those
streets to mingle with the new
The protest against noises is in fact
demand for improved pavements of
the noiseless order, smooth but elastic,
though firm roadways. In many cases
where the noise of the lighter order of
machinery has proved i'll for the sur
rounding neighborhood, quite effective
remedies have been applied by induc-
ing the operators to place supports di-
rect to the earth beneath the machines,
thus reducing the sounding board prop
critics Of the floors and walls
In some cities already it is prohibited
to haul loads of sounding materials
through the streets unless they are
packed or secured so as to prevent, as
far as possible, the rattle and bang of
loosely gathered articles upon the ve-
hicles.
But smooth surfaced streets and elias
tic tires on all medium and light We
hicles will reduce city noises by half,
as fully that proportion of the annoy
ance is due to the rattle and bang of
thousands Of vehicles passing over
rough streets. DR.. Durgin says we'll
that civilization demands reform in this
matter of city noises. That it will be
effected we do not for moment doubt.
That the movement toward such reform
all drives ahead the good road and good
street campaign, is the gratifying reflec-
ton of the grand and splendid army Of
good road cranks