New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-23
WHY is ACTION DEFERRED?
NUISANCE OF SOFT COAL SMOKE IN
CREASING.
INVESTIGATIONS. BARREN OF RESULTS. THE
ORDER OF THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
READY. But OTHER OFFICIALS
DOING NOTHING


DOING NOTHING.
There is no apparent excuse for the inactivity
OF the Corporation Counsel and the Board OF
Health in the Of the long standing soft coal
nuisance District-Attorney Steele is ready to
aid the Department in every possible way. he
came out unequivocally yesterday against the
maintenance OF the nuisance. and sympathzes
with the children Of Public School No. 81. at
Hoyt and President SITS. who in the heat OF the
summer have to nhale the soft coal smoke from
the two chimneys Of the Planet Mills nearby
instead Of pure air.
DR. r. A. Black Sanitary Superintendent for
the Board Of Health. has been dealing with TINS
outrageous case in the usual way. lnVestiga-
lions are offered as satisfaction to all who have
the temerity TO make inquiries as to when the
nuisance will be abated or, better STILL enureiv
removed. Meantime, while red tape is being un-
rolled at a snail's pace and active and in'eIh-
gent ofrcialdom is puttering around It's ponder
GUS machinery trying to get few cogs In work
ing order. the children Of the school and all Of
those who live in the neighborhood of the SCOT
and dense black smoke spouting from the chin
news Of the Planet Mills. in Carroll-st., near
Rond-st are trying 10 keep their faces and
clothes clean and to get an occasional breath OF
fresh air which is at premium in this part OF
South Brooklyn. Other factories and places OF
business in the neighbOrhoOd OF the mills. rear
ling from evidence that is as clear as the smoke
&c dense that the Board Of Health and It's SAM
,ar,. Superintendent seem to be satisfied merely
with Investigations and that prompt. effective
action is never taken. hut always postponed or
DELAYED until public clamor, worn out by its own
unavailing efforts ceases, are also using SOFT
coal and filing the schools and houses with
filthy. suFocating smoke
de 1fv1c IN a r q
DR.. Black and Assistant Corporation Counsel
Walsh who have charge Of this work, can count
on his aid II they are anxious to have II. Assist
ant District-Attorney Van Colt yesterday. after
stating that he had not gone into the matter far
enough TO state definitely what course he in
tended TO pursue said: 1t is a question whether
the matter should be brought before the Grand
Jury or the Court Of Special Sessions But IN
either case the District-AttOrneys office Is Will
ing 10 push a final prosecution. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Walsh, who is supposed 10
have a knowledge Of the law in such cases IS
looked to to indicate what action he desires 10
take.
4 proninen; South Brooklynite said yester
dev: 1T seems strange that DR.. Black or MI
Walsh are not able to say what action should be
taken. What are they IN office for? What are
they paid for? Is there no precedent in such
case? Are, there no provisions in law applying
10 such a case? Does Dr. Black know anything
about il? Are we TO hear forever OF investga-
tons and Of no action at all? Mr.. Walsh says
that the evidence has been submitted 10 the DIS
trict- Attorney for presentation TO the Grand
Jury If so let the Grand Jury go 10 the Planet
Mills and see the nuisance for themselves. Ac-
ton immediate and effective, is what we want
District-Attorney Steele is Southerner and
as soft coal is largely used in the South he is
acquainted with its beauties there and else
where II 9 said: Il once In Cincinnati with
my family We had fine suite Of rooms In the
best hotel there The carpets were elegant and
apparently Immediately lean. My wife and l
were invited one evening TO take dinner with a
friend We decided 10 take our little boy along,
and so dressed him UP 10 perfection. While he
was waiting for ne amused himself by rolling
around on the elegant carpets When he got up
10 20 with US he looked Ike a stoker, and was as
black as the ace OF spades. have seen Cincin-
natl women return from shopping looking as II
they were foreigners TO cleanliness. No soft coal
should be allowed here. and will not be If l can
NIL