Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
The President Denounces VIC
lation of the Smoke Law.
ARRESTS SUGGESTED
DISTRICT OFFICIALS EXPLAIN
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
Letter to the District Commissioners
Expressing the Views Of the
Chief Executive.

Drastic action has been recon-
mended by the President looking to
the suppression of the smoke nui-
sance in the city of Washington. A
letter was sent by his direction to
the District Commissioners Novem-
Der 30 inquiring if it were not pos
sible to. proceed criminally against
the officers of the Electric Light
Company. He denounced the viole-
ton of the smoke law by the COM
pany at the very doors of the White
House as an outrage, and urged that
the managers of the company be ar
rested again and again, at short Ill
tervals, in an effort to abate the nui
sance.
The Commissioners will reply that
the company has frequently been
prosecuted.
President Roosevelt has Unexpectedly
taken hand in the discussion of the viola
ton of the smoke laws of the District. and
his interest in it is shown by the following
letter, made public at the White House to-
day:
WHITE HOUSE,
WASHINGTON. November 80, 1904
ITO the District Commissioners:
1.-THE President has again taken up with
his cabinet the smoke nuisance so far as
tl., hill
would like especially to call your attention
however. to the well-nigh intolerable mani
feStation of the nuisance by the Electric
Light Company. Is it not possible to pro-
coed criminally against the manager of this
company?
IF not. drastic legislation should be rec
commended. 1t is an outrage on the city
that such nuisance should be permitted to
exist right by the White House. At almost
every hour of the day this great chimney
can be seen emitting dense clouds of black
smoke. 1t would seem to be wise to go to
the very limit of the law and to arrest the
head Of the company those highest up
in the company again and again at the
shortest possible intervals, in order to put
a stop to this nuisance, for the conduct on
their part amounts to a fragrant defiance of
the law and of respect for public opinion
and is fraught with serious consequences
to the city of Washington.
WIN. LOEB. Jr.,
Secretary to the President"
Patience Exhausted.
The explanation of making the letter to
the District Commissioners public at this
time is that the President has continued TO
notice the big smokestacks of the Electric
Light Company give forth huge volumes of
black smoke, and that he thinks that this
viola ton of the law ought to be stopped
without delay, if possible.
1t IS stated at the White House that
Commissioner Mcfarland made verbal
report to Secretary Loeb or the President
some time after the receipt of the letter
by the District Commissioners. but no
action, so far as officially known. has been
taken against the offending Electric Light
Company.
1t is stated positively that the publication
OF the letter is not in the nature of crit
icfsm of the District authorities. whoever
they may be, but it is admitted that the
President feels that the anti-smoke law
ought to be enforced to the letter. regard
less of the concern or company or indvid-
ual at fault.
White House Annoyed.
In this particular case the President has
nothing to do but look out of the south
windows of his office and observe the belch-
ing of smoke from the huge chimneys Of
the electric light company. This concerns
plant is located at 14th and B streets north
west. and when a southeast wind is blowing
the White House and executive offices are
said to come in for a goodly share of the
black SCOT that covers things that get in
the way of the floating darkness. 1t is said
that several occasions immacula linen
around the White House has been per-
ceptibly affected by the blight of the smoke
Secretary Loeb and Assistant Secretary
Barnes have often noticed the outpour of
smoke from the electric light plant. and
they notice it any day that is clear enough
70 ntno to nd gfrn
The President some time ago forwarded
to the Treasury Department a number of
complaints against the department made by
District inspectors, and some correspond
ence passed on the subject. 1t was evident
at that time that the President was inter-
ested in the enforcement of the law even If
a government department was the violator.
The White House feels that il the limit of
the law has been reached in this direction
there may be another tack that can be
taken that will accomplish something or
that 1t may be possible to have Congress
take cognizance of the seriousness of the
nuisance and enact more stringent law,
something that will carry with it severe
punishment sufficient to break up the evil.
Attitude of the Commissioners.
Since the letter was received by the Com
missioners the smoke has continued to
come from the chimneys of the building in
question, but. according to the authorities
at the District Headquarters the courts
must now settle the question. since repeat
ed prosecutions have been instituted against
the occupants of the building by the Com
missioners.
A formal reply to the communication
from the White House will be made, 1t is
understood, as soon as careful consideration
has been given the matter by all three of
the Commissioners. The complaint has
been going the rounds of the members of
the board since its receipt, preparatory to
making this reply to the President through
Mr.. Loeb.
Mr.. Mcfarland would not be quoted, but
the facts are understood to be these: After
the communication had been received from
the White House Mr.. Macfarland informed
Secretary Loeb orally that prior to that
time fifty cases had been instituted in the
Police Court against the plant in question.
and that over 500 had been paid in fines
and in forfeited collateral
There was only one inspector who could
make observations and bring charges be-
fore the court.
Since the letter was received the plant
has been under special observation and
case has been brought against the manage
ment for every day since. These cases are
pow papdipp