The Washington times., 1904-12-25
PRESIDENT SCORES
ELECTRIC COMPANY
McDermOtt and Harries
Concern Still Violate L.W
SMOKING UP WHITE HOUSE
Black Clouds Reaching the Executive
Mansion-Commissio May
Now Act.
SMOKING UP WHITE HOUSE

Rhe Presidents action in making
-ublic his protest to the Commissioners
against the continued violation of the
smoke law by the plant Of the Wash
ington Electric Light Company, Of
which Allen McDermott is president.
and Gen. George Harries vice president,
Will undoubtedly stir the District Com
'mfssioners to Immediate steps to abate
the nuisance 1t is believed now, as a
matter Of fact, that the receipt of the
letter nearly a month ago. inspired the
District authorities to renewed efforts
to enforce the law.
The President denounced the viola
tion Of the law. by the company at the
very doors Of the White House as an
outrage.
The letter was dated November 80,
and the Commissioners made no formal
reply to the communication, though
Commissioner .Macfarland is said to
have orally informed Secretary Loeb
that the company would be prosecuted
for every violation, and that in the
two years previous the officials had al
ready prosecuted the plant fifty times.
and fines and collaterals had been col
lected amounting to 500 for violations
of the law
Since the receipt of the letter it is
said there have been almost daily pros
ecutions and these cases are still pend
ing in the Police Court,
While it is not believed that the let
ter is in the nature of a criticism of
the District officials. it is conceded that
the President believes the law should be
enforced to the letter regardless of the
concern or individuals who suffer by
the prosecution.
Smudges White House.
The plant is located on Fourteenth and
Streets northwest, and the huge
clouds of black smoke which issue daily
from the chimneys can be seen easily
from the windows of the White House
A southeast wind blows the smoke di-
rectly toward the Executive Mansion
The President some time ago showed
an intention of preventing any further
violation of the law on the part of the
Government departments and there Is
an evident feeling at the White House
that If the present law is deficient Con-
gresS may be called upon TO remedy it.
The controversy between the Commis-
sioners over the enforcement of the
law is now well known TO the general
public Commissioner MaefarIand's DO
sition is that the Health Department
has enforced the law as well as pos
s;ble with only one inspector available
for the work
Commissioner West. On the other hand
believes the law has not been effective
and has not been enforced consistently
and impartially Proposed amendments
TO the law, which are favored by Com
missioner West and opposed by Com
missioner Macfarland, are now In the
hands of Commissioner Biddlc, awaiting
an expression Of opinion from him.
The letter to the Commissioners.
which was made public yesterday. is as
follows:
Heated Words.
White House,
Washington, November 30 I9o.
To the District Commissioners:
The President has again taken up
with his Cabinet the smoke nuisance
SO far as the public buildings are con-
cerned. He would like especially to call
your attention. however, to the well
nigh intolerable manifestation of the
nuisance by the electric light com
pany.
Is it not possible to proceed erininaIIy
against the managers of this company?
IL not. drastic legislation should be
recommended 1t is an outrage on the
city that such nuisance should be per
mltted 10 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.
II would seem to be wise to go the
very limit of the law and to arrest the
head of the company or those highest
up in the company. again and again at
the shortest possible intervals, in order
TO put stop to this nuisance. for the
conduct on their part amounts to a fla
grant defiance of the law and of respect
for public opinion and is fraught with
serious consequences 20 the cffy of
Washington.
WILLIAM LOEB, Jr.,
Secretary to the President