The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-04
Petitioners Give Evidence but Com
pany's Side Exceptionally Strong.
Other Business of the Board
of Aldermen.

hibting common sense ia contrast TO af-
fectauon and sentimental sympathy.
Superintendent OF Health Chaplin was
called before the board and said the first
he knew about the oil works being es-
tablished there was when he noticed the
odor az he was passing the place. Not
long after a complaint was made In re-
gard 10 the works and he went up and
saw Mr.. Phetteplace about it, The odor
WAS decided enough TO annoy people there
TO considerable degree. The odor came
chiefly from the watts or tanks In which
the oil is treated. This might be largely
if not entirely done away with by proper
iy closing the tanks and leading the gases
10 the fire, where they would be con-
sumed.
In reply to a question OF Alderman Nc
Carthy. DIR. Chaplin admitted that the
odors from the DeGras works were of a
somewhat different character and more
disagreeable. The suggestions made by
the city engineer were not followed and
the factory was closed.
CoMPANYs STRONG SIDE.
Attorney Tillinghast presented several
counter petitions Of bona ide owners and
occupants OF property in the immediate
vicinity of the works and also letter
from Rev. l.. s. Woodwork who was
asked 10 sign the original petition. lie
declined until he had personally Inspected
the works and after he had done so he
absolutely refused to sign. Instead he
wrote a letter declaring that he detected
no odor detrimental to the "health and
comfort" of his family and tho same was
true az TO the many counter petitions.
Attorney Ttllinghast thsn called DR..
Swarts secretary OF the state board OF
health. VINO visited the factory yesterday
morning and he testified he did not de-
tect any Objectionable odor outside the
factory. There was heavy, sweet door
inside the factory that was not injurious
TO health.
In answer to Attorney Gardner. DIR.
Swarts said he had visited the factory
professionally for the purpose OF hnding
out the conditions In order 10 TESTIFY be-
fore the board. A supersensitive person
with stomach irritsted from indigestion
might be slightly affected but he could
not discover any odor In or about the
works detrimental to health or produce
a specific disease.
Dr. Jay Perkins, the medical examiner.
and Dr. r.. II. Smith both confirmed DIR.
swarts In his testimony that nothing
could be found about the works In the
nature OF odors or process OF refining
that would tend TO produce Ill health or
sickness.
Charles Jackson, superintendent of the
works. explained the process of pressing
the olive and reducing the pulp TO oil and
the residue to soap and Its effect upon
people who work I'm the factories. He
never knew OF any ill-effects upon the
health OF people employed I'm the fac
tories. and he had been employed In Paris,
In Rome, In Marseilles and in the middle
Of London. The latter factory IL located
near London bridge and is owned by Sir
Alderman Ross, NO animal fats were
used in the manufacture OF the soap.
He explained that by the use of fans the
gases could be conducted 20 the fires
: and cremated and the odors eliminated.
| In Europe they like the smell or the oil
Factories FOR they are healthful.
| Both parties had number of other
| witnessesh but on motion Of Alderman
| Winship and seconded 10y Alderman FREQ
| man the hearing was continued until
| October 81, with the understanding that
| the company endeayor in the meantime
| TO make such changes as may bs deemed
| necessary TO eliminate the odor