Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-29
LAW TO Be ENFORCED
Commissioners of One Mind
on Smoke Law.
REPORT TO CONGRESS
TO ORDINANCE
AGREED UPON.
Official Reply to Be Made to President
Roosevelt's Recent Com
munication.

From out the cloud of smoke which has
been hanging over the seat of the munic-
ipal government caused by the recent con-
troversy among the officials over the en-
forcement of the District antismoke law,
the dove of peace has at last emerged with
its snow-whte wings scarcely soiled from
its fight through the backening cloud.
The District Commissioners ii Is under
stood, are agreed that the present law
should be enforced without fear or favor
and without any show of Partially. 1t is
also understood they are agreed that only
by stringent enforcement of the existing
law can good results be accomplished.
The Commissioners have not as yet writ
ten out their report on the amendment 10
the present law, which has been before
them since the latter part of the last
sion of Congress. but 1t is confidently de-
clared that they will present to Congress
but one report on the proposed amend
ment. and that this one report will be sat-
fsfactory to each of the three Commission
The District authorities have not as yet
replied to the recent communica ton OF
President Roosevelt relative to the smoke
emissions from the electric light plant
They have discussed the smoke question i'm
several board meetings. however, and il Is
believed they have come to an understand
ing as to the general terms of their report
on the amendment and also to the sub
stance of their reply to the President.
Both the report and the reply il is expected
will be made within a few days.
Law to Be Enforced.
In the meantime the Commissioners give
assurance that the present law prohibiting
the emission of dense. black gray smoke
from stacks on business establishments.
hotels etc, will be enforced with as much
stringency as they are able to enforce it,
1t is declared that the one Inspector de-
tailed to observe violations has been direct
ed tobend his energies to covering as much
territory as possible and that the assistant
corporation counsel at the Police Court has
been instructed to bring the cases to trial
as speedily as possible IL is then hoIed.
so /. Is understood, that the Judges OF the
Police Court will do the rest With ju-
diciols corporation all around on The Fart
of all The officials concerned ir is believed
that the complaints against the smoke
nuisance will be greatly reduced and that
there will be less annoyance TO citizens
from that cause.
While the Commissioners singly and col
lectively decline to express even an in,-
piled criticism of the methods of the P1-
lice Court in disposng of the smoke cases.
yet ii is believed that they are of the
opinion that heavier fines against habtual
offenders against the smoke law would
have beneficial effect and greatly in
crease the efficiency of the present law.
Plants Selected for Observation.
1t is stated that when the law first went
into effect there were about 100 plants
lected for observation. These plants were
the ones complained against by the citi-
zens, and they are scattered all over the
city. OF this number, it is stated. less than
thirty plants are habitual or frequent Of
tenders. A large number of plants, Ii Is
stated have either entirely compiled with
the law or else have abated the nuisance to
some extent. Many plants. 1T is declared.
have spent large sums of money for equip
ment to prevent the emission of smoke, and
in a number of cases, so 1t is declared. the
money has been spent injudiciously for de-
vices that have failed to remedy the con-
ditionS.
A member of corporation controlling
two of the leading hotels of the city called
on Commissioner Macfarland this morning
and stated that the hotels in question have
spent $40 900 between them in the purchase
of equipment for their furnaces and boilers,
and that the emission of smoke from the
stacks has been entirely stopped.