The evening times., 1899-08-03
TIE LAW AGAINST smoke
Health Authorities Disposed to Be
Lenient for a Time.
Many Difficulties In the Way of Dis
by Act of COngress-The Problem
of COnsumers--No Occasion for n
Prosecution Has Yet Arisen.

The Health Department, which has charge
of the enforcement of the anti-smoke law,
passed by the last Congress, and which is
now in operation, has not as yet had occa-
sion to prosecute anyone owning or operat-
ing smoke producing plants. 1t is probable
in view of the policy which the Health De-
partment has adopted in reference to car
rying out the regulation that it will be
some time before eases will be carried into
the Police Court as, the result Of negligence
or procrastination on the part of persons
responsible for smoke generating plants.
Health officer Woodward has decided, In
view of the many disadvantages under
which those affected by the law labor in re-
gard to securing. efficient consumers OF
smoke, that it will be the policy of the
department to deal leniently in all cases at
first where there Is evidence that an honest
and consistent effort is being made to COM
ply with the law.
The statute is somewhat sweeping in its
provisions and affects a large number OF
persons. The question OF testing the efIi-
cheney of a smoke-consumer has never been
| considered by Washingtonians except In
rare instances, and consequently it is not
generally known which devices are the best.
Until recently the matter has received little
or no attention from those who may be
compelled to fit their plants with consum-
ers. Many had not thought of the matter
until their attention was called to 1t by the
! daily papers in the latter part OF July. The
result is that everyone affected by the law
is busy making experiments or investigating
! the worth of the various types of consumers
on the market.
| These investigations will take some time.
and realizing this the Health Officer has
decided not to be too pressing in the i'm
mediate enforcement OF the law.
There is another important phase of the
situation which is likely to cause more or
! less trouble. Some of the so-called smoke
! consumers do not do all that is claimed for
! them, and permit some smoke TO escape.
| 1t is more than likely that not a few will
equip their furnaces with this sort OF
device. The result will be that the person
| whose plant is equipped with such con-
| sumer will be liable TO the law unless he
secures an apparatus that will actually
prevent smoke. number OF enquiries
| have been directed to DR.. Woodward ask
| ing whether in case consumer fails to do
| its work properly the person on whose
| plant il is placed is liable to the law. The
reply has been that in all cases the con-
sumner must do its work efficiently and
| that all will be held responsible. The de-
partment has advised all who have asked
| for guidance that in equipping their heat
| ing apparatus with consumers they pro-
| tect themselves from inefficient devices by
| making the necessary stipulations in the
contract with the manufacturer, as the
| Health Department cannot countenance
! anything which falls short OF the provis-
/ ions of the law and cannot regard an in
1 ,Nf,afI Io
| The law explicitly states that no dis
| elimination shall be directed by the OFF,
| GERS enforcing the statute in favor of or
| against any consuming device. Conse-
| Quently, a consumer Of any make will be
| allowable providing il does its work prop
| erly. number OF enquiries have been re-
ceived by the Health officer, asking him
to recommend some consuming device but
| this he has been unable to do on account
of the section OF the law prohibiting dis
elimination. Several manufacturers have
| endeavored TO secure his written endorse
| ment but this he has also refused.
An inspector has been detailed to en-
force the anti-smcke law. Where it is
| found that a conscientious effort is not
| being made to comply with the law, pro-
ceedings will be Instituted.
Some of the hotels are experimenting
with smoke e-consumers and the greater
| number OF the managers and proprietors
will equip their heating apparatus with
them. Just at this season of the year the
steam heating plants in the hotels are not
needed, and consequently moke-consumers
are not required for the present at least
The law is likely to have the effect of max
ing fremen of some of the smaller heating
and power plants more careful In caring
for their fires hereafter BY placing less
coal on their fires and doing this more fire.
quently much Of the smoke is done away
with, and in many cases where the furnaces |
are small il will not be necessary in order |
to come within the bounds of the law TO
use smoke consumers. The Health De- |
partment feels that a conscientious effort |
is now being made to comply with the |
law.