Evening star., 1903-10-10
sALEM's EXPENSIVE NOISE.
Massachusetts City is Lcsiug All Its
Desirable Residents.

From the Boston Herald.
1t is stated that Salem in the past year
has lost half million dollars in taxable
personal property simply because tile in
tolerable noise of steam whistles on the
railroad and from factories has made the
place resdentially undesirable. Several
leading citizens have thus been driven to
live elsewhere. Strong efforts have been
made to secure the abatement of the nui-
sance, but without avail, and other prom
inent residents announce their intention Of
going to live in other parts. One gentleman
says that in order to sleep nights he has
to go over to Marblehead, there is such a
continuous footing of locomotive whistles
in his neighborhood. Indulgence in the
noise nuisance is therefore proving an eX-
pensve luxury for Salem. Not only Is
there a loss of personal property, but IN
giving an undesirable character to first
class residential property it must tend to
depress real estate values, and thus cause
the city the loss of much revenue 1t is so
easy TO erect reform in this regard that
1t seems strange that it should not be done.
All that Is necessary is for the city govern
ment to adopt an ordinance regula ting the
matter just as many other cities have
done, and every civilized community
should do. The blowing of locomotive
whistles within the municipal limits. except
hidden in Maiden. Waltham and other
places where they had become a public
nuisance, and no inconvenience In the op-
GRAFTON of trains has ensued
1t might therefore be thought that the
railroad company would voluntarily discon-
tinue practice that is making one of the
most important places on It's line resi-
dentlally undesirable. AS to factory whis-
ties, there Is no excuse for using them
In order to call the hands to work there
Is no reason why the peace Of a whole com
munity should be disturbed. 1t is simply
the persistence of an old habit that in more
primitive times may have had its justifica-
ton- But in these days of cheap watches
ana alarm clocks every employe has the
means Of knowing when working hours
begin.
1t is remarkable that Salem, of all places.
shouio choose to endure infections con-
trary TO all the traditions of one of the
Oldest and most cultivated communities In
the United States. Salem has long been
CONSIDERED one of the pleasantest places of
residence in New England. Many persons
nave been drawn to live there by its beau
tiiul locauon, Its pleasant streets its fine
old houses, its historic traditions its scien-
tihc and literary institutions and the charm
ing social conditions that these things i'm
ply. 10 nave these advantages sacrificed
SIMPLY because incompetent local authort-
.ies ran 10 realize the desira bility of retain
ing them would be loss felt far outside
the community directly concerned SaIeno
is one of the most attractive foo 30
historic New England, and all New F,np
iahu Is concerned in having it remain so
but under rumpus-tolerating conditions an
INC, ,hciherehce 10 everything distinctive that
mas characterized the place Is likely To
grow. Unnecessary noise is one op 49,
greatest banes of our ciyilization r. T., e
detrimental to health as to peace ava nor. a.
fort. ''o eoii-