The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-10

whole community will be considered.
1t would be idle to contend that the
suppression of the smoke nuisance
would produce this result, even if the
industry was curtailed or entirely aboi-
ished in this vicinity. The prosperity,
the permanence, the health and every
vital interest of a city with popula-
ton of 10000 is now directly affected by
the noxious vapors from these plants.
The smelling of ore is only an incident
tothe great industry which forms the ba-
sis of the prosperity of the city and it's
inhabitants and, doubtless, had the city
of Butte the population at the time
these smelters We're erected that it now
has, no company would have thought
of erecting a plant so injurious in it's
operation to the people living in prpx-
unity to it as these smelters.
In regard to the item of cost, while
this has been dwelt upon by the var
ious companies in their communica-
tions heretofore received it must be
borne in mind. with all due justice to
the smelling companies, that it is an
item that should not stand in the way.
The cost of abating the nuisance, if it
can be abated, should be considered a
necessary incident to the business. If
1t results in smaller dividends to the
stockholders of the smelling companies.
most of whom reside at distance from
the nuisance, the profits from their
plants should still be sufficient to re-
move any cause for complaint on this
score. These smelters are usually run
in connection with, and are owned by,
mining companies. These companies
are taking from the earth the precious
metals at the cost merely of the labor
necessary, and the business is certain
ly profitably enough to insure immun-
ity to the inhabitants of the city of
Butte from the dangers, discomforts
and inconvenience necessarily result
ing from the operation of these smelt-
erS.
THE appreciation in the value of
property by reason of the abatement
of this nuisance. in the opinion of the
undersigned, would be sufficient to
warrant the statement that the taxable
revenue from such increase would be
such as to make it of vital interest to
the state to take the necessary steps
looking to it's discontinuance. If there
should be erected two or three other
smelters in close proximity to the city,
there is no question that the nuisance
would become so dangerous, as well as
so intolerable, that the nuisance would
have to be abated even at the hazard
Of destroying the industry. If the nui-
sance can be abated without the re-
moval Of the industry from this point,
it, of course. should be done. If the
nuisance cannot be abated without the
destruction of the smelling industry
contiguous to Butte, then there is no
question that the time will arrive, if it
has not already arrived, when it will
have to be done.
There is no question, in my opinion,
that. from legal standpoint, this nui-
sance is of such a radical nature that
the law affords relief.
II respectfully beg leave to report
that I am ready to obey any order the
court may see fit to make in the prem
| Uses.
Respectfully submitted.
&c. P. CONNOLLY,
County Attorney.
dated Butte, Mont. Nov. 9, 1899.
/ Since the above report was prepared
I have received a communication from
the Colusa- Parrot Mining & Smelling
company, which is also herewith at
| tacAed."
| Appended to the report We're the let
| ters of the different companies who
| replied. That of the Boston & Montana
and Butte & Boston companies was as
| follows:
| Butte. Mont, Oct. 30, 1899.
&c. P. Connolly, County Attorney, Sill
| Yer Bow County. Butte. Mont:
| Dear Sir: Since the report made tc