Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-22
DENSE BLACK SMOKE
Fuel Tests Under Navy De-
partment Direction.
CONSUMPTION OF OIL,
CALLED TO THE ATTENTION OF
SECRETARY MOODY. :
Alleged Violation Of the Law - Re
Spouse to Notice Given by Dis
trict Commissioners

For several weeks past the officials of the
District charged with the enforcement Of
sAs antt-smoke law have been fairly fas-
cinated by the continuous outpouring Of
densely black clouds from the tall stack
which towers above the oil fuel experiment
tai station of the Navy Department, at 9Th
and I streets southwest. Among others,
the smoke law inspectors of the health de-
partment have been interested observers of
the plant. DR.. Woodward, the health off,
Ger. sitting In his private office at the Dis
trict building. has been daily treated to a
fine exhibition of coal black vapor when
ever his gaze has found a southerly direc-
ton.
The smoke stack on the experiment sta
ton has created a class for itself The
other stacks in the city emit smoke at in
tervals during the day, but as soon as the
act Of actual firing is over the coal-burning
furnaces quiet down and become respect
able. law-abiding institutions. But in the
case of the Oil furnaces of the Navy De-
partment. 1t Is declared, the outflow of
smoke has been continuous. The health de-
partment officials have been cognizant Of
the fact that important experiments are be-
ing conducted at the station by the en-
cheering branch Of the navy, and there
fore hesitated to make official complaint
about the smoke nuisance. On the 14th in
slant. however. there came the proverbial
SHAW WHICH overwhelmed the Gamers
Dack The emission Of black smoke was
more voluminous and persistent than ever
For four or five hours the tall stack was
topped by mass Of curling black clouds.
Notification and Response.
In courteous note to Secretary Moody
OF the Navy Department Commissioner
mcfarland Enclosed a report from the
smoke inspector of the health department.
The Secretary was asked If something could
not be done to abate, in degree at least
the alleged nuisance Mr.. Charles H. OAR
ling. assistant secretary of the navy today
replied to the Commissioners. The plant
ne says, is operated by the oil fuel board of
the navy. The Commissioners letter was
referred to Admiral Melville, engineer-in-
chief Of the navy who reported To the Soc
rotary as follows:
There has been erected at the foot of
9Th and l streets southwest, and operated
by the Oil fuel board of the United States
the value Of liquid fuel for naval purposes
The tests already conducted will be produce
tive of valuable results, since some very
desirable data is being secured in connec-
ton with the value of oil combustble
The experiment conducted on the morn
ing of the 14th instant was particularly val
liable. by reason of the fact that it showed
that when the consumption of liquid fuel
was forced by the use of a heavy draft 1t
would be impossible to secure complete
combustion, and thus dense smoke was pro-
duced.
1.-The question as to whether the consump-
ton Of liquid fuel can be forced without
producing great smoke is not only of in
terest to the naval service, but directly
concerns the interests of the city of Wash
ington. One of the advantages set forth
for the use Of liquid fuel is the declaration
that the boiler installation of the largest
public buildings and many apartment
houses and hotels can be greatly forced.
The bureau would assure the District
authorities that it will not be necessary to
make many experiments whereby the boil
ers Will be forced to an extent to cause so
much smoke to issue from the top of the
stack. During ninetenths of the expert
ments complete combustion will be effected
and no smoke ought to result
OF National Importance.
IF the extent and character of the in
quiries that are received by this bureau as
to the result Of these experiments can in
any wise be regarded as showing the In
terest taken in these tests throughout the
country, then the work being conducted at
the experimental station at the foot of ST.
and l streets southwest is of national M
port. The bureau, therefore. believes that
the president of the board of Commission
ers of the District of Columbia has only to
be Informed Of the important character of
the experiments and to be given the assur-
ance that only few more such expert
ments as those made on the 18th instant
are contemplated to recognize the fact thai ]
there are military well as commercial
reasons for continuing the extended series
of tests specially authorized by the Con-
gress Of the United States"
Commenting on this report Assistant Sec
rotary Darling says:
I'm view Of the important character OF
the tests being conducted at the above
mentioned experimental station, as SIT
forth In the report of the engineer-in-chief
and Of the latter's assurance that it will
not be necessary to make many expert
meQtS whereby the boilers w he fo
extent to cause so much smoke to issue
from the top of the stack as on the 14th
instant. 1t is requested that the board Of
Commissioners will permit the continuance
of these tests by the oil fuel board without
interference until their completion"
The Commissioners have noted the de-
partment's reply and are hopeful for a re-
form at the station