The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-14
POOR SMOKE CONSUMERS
The Views of 7. F. Schneider on
the Question.
Dissertation of His Experiences
With Various Deviccs-Thc Steam
jet Injurious to Furnaces ana
BoiIcrs-TO Rebuild His Plnnt-A
Hearing of business Men Asked.

T. F. Schneider. of rs Fourteenth Street
northwest, has written letter to The
Commissioners giving his views at length
on the subject of smoke consumers Mr..
Schneider is proprietor of the Cairo apart
ment house, ana his letter was in answer
to one written to him by the Health Officer
relative TO meeting the requirements of the
law IN respect to his smokestack at the
Cairo.
Before the law bearing upon this sub
ject,'' he says, went into effect, became
much interested in the subject, ard iny,s $
tigated and experimental with different
devices only to be convinced that appli-
ances for the purpose are not effective.
Many are being experimental with at the
present time, and hundreds of them in NV
York and Pittsburg have been abandoned,
and l challenge you to find one in this city
that will comply with the law.
Those having the steam jet, ana nov in
use upon some plants, will sooa be a. AN
/ doned, especially on large boilers, on az
count of the injury to the brick wal S,
as well as to the bottom of the boiler.
They are also very seriously Objectionable
in buildings such as apartment houses or
hotels, on account of the terrific noise OF
the escaping steam at each firing. This
cannot possibly be overcome, and in con-
nectlon with the destruction to my boilers.
was the reason was obliged to abandon it
at the Cairo, besides fine cindeTs were
emitted from the stack which caused as
much annoyance as the smoke.
Such devices when used on small boi e S
do not show all these objections as cita ly
as when used on large boilers, as very
much smaller quantity of steam being used
the damage to boilers and the nose is pro-
portionaliy less. The 'Stokers' do not re-
vent the smoke. as can clearly be seen by
observing the different stacks which have
them in this city
During the time of firing more or less
smoke will be emitted. and there is 10 de-
vice known at this time which will prevent
1t for the first two minutes after coal.ng or
firing. But few of us could use hard coal
in our boilers, on account of the draft,
which could not be obtained, and, bes. des,
in the case of large plants, such as l have.
even IL it we're possible to use it, the ex-
pense would be enormous.
Il think the Commissioners would do
well 10 give hearing to the business men
interested in this matter, and give them
an opportunity to fully explain their differ
ent views and experiences as early in tn :
fall they will return to the city and then
fully weigh the whole question, and il It is
decided that we must do what we cannot
do. have an understanding as to just how
closely we will be held accountable. Uader
the present status, although we do the best
we can, with all the sacrifices that accom-
pany our efforts, we are just as liable to be
pulled in for making smoke for half-min-
INF 8 a o
to in court last month in the case OF w. H.
Moses.
within a few days | will begin entirely
rebuilding the brick work of my boilers,
and otherwise overhauling them, a wo. k
which will take about eight weeks to con-
plete. Then, IL it is decided that l must
adopt a smoke consuming device OF some
kind, will make another attempt. l wish
it understood that am as heartily in favor
CT doing away with smoke as anybody, and
am perfectly willing to do what is pc ST.
BILE TO DO to that end. but as l have already
wasted great deal OF money experiment.
ing, | would prefer not doing more in that
direction at this time ! wait some further
improvements in the line OF such inven-
| lions which are likely to come sooner or
later, and as Washington is not manufac-
turing place, but little annoyance is now
being felt or is likely 10 be felt for a very
long time to come from smoke.
Many OF the loudest GROWERS about
smoke are those who can only see it from
distance and who in fact never ex-
perience the least annoyance. They want
| 3-cent street car fares. and. in fact, every
thing that the other fellow has. and stand
ready at all times to throw obstacles in the
| way of the progressive man
The letter of Mr.. Schneider has bse1
need by the Commissioners and filed for
| consideration when the consideration OF tn;
| smoke nuisance is taken up.