Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-19
SHOULD BE A LIMIT
JUDGE SCOTS OPINION OF ANTI
SMOKE LAW.
"Court May Not Fully Agree With
Itself''-Fine Of Ten Dol
lars Imposed.

Judge Scott had something more to say
about the smoke law when a case was tried
in the Police Court today. Commenting on
what was said in court Saturday the judge
said he meant to be understood That he
could not recall the trial of any cases IN
which smoke had been emitted more than a
few seconds at time. He also said he did
not regard the record book of Inspector
Wollard as being of any consequence other
than that it served as a memorandum for
the inspector. The inspector had his book
in court this m6rning, however, and read
from it while on the witness stand. He did
this in giving testimony against Mr.. Edwin
n. Gray, proprietor of Grays foundry.
When arraigned the defendant admitted
that he knew nothing of the particular time
charged but said he would like to make an
explanation. The entry in the inspector s
book showed that he had kept tab on the
smokestack at the foundry and had seen
smoke of the alleged Objectionable character
emitted for a period of three minutes at
one time and one minute at another. All
this occurred during hour
Mr.. Gray. in going upon the witness
stand, in formed the court that he was there
for the first time
And said Judge Scott, what do you
think of the court?'
Mr.. Gray said he was fully convinced That
there is great need of ventilation in the
room. Judge Scott agreed with him, and
said an effort had been made to have
the sanitary condition of the building inn
proved. He suggested that a smokestack
leading into the open air from the building
might remedy matters.
Makes Explanation.
Mr.. Gray then went on to explain that
he had been as careful as possible about
the matter of smoke, of the dense gray and
black variety, being emitted from his place
of business, and said he attributed the fling
of the charge against him to the use of an
inferior quality of coal He told of trouble
that had been experienced in getting Cum
berland coal here, and said he had been
forced to use soft coal that had been
brought here over the Chesapeake and Ohio
road.
You ought to get your coal from MI
Davis, who was the great candidate Tor the
vice presidency the court remarked. HE
has the best coal of the kind in this coun-
try. 1t is as free from sulphur as any that
can be obtained
Mr.. GRAY said he had invited the inspector
to investigate his plant to see how 1t Is OPP
Grated.
Did you want him to view it from dis
lance or at close ranger the judge asked
you know the judge added, he some
times views these places from the tops Oh
houses.
The court said that the press of the city
seemed anxious that Congress should take
an effort the court said, was made at the
last session. and it is hoped they Will do
something at the present session. The judge
said he thought there should be limita-
ton fixed by law. Under the present law
it's emission for any period is a violation,
and when the District presents the cases it
is the duty of the court to see that the law
is executed 1t is all in the interest of a
clean city, the judge said. and the use of
the best coal is perhaps the best way to
prevent the emission of the kinds of smoke
mentioned in the law.
Some of the District people don't seem to
agree upon the question" the judge said
land the court may not fully agree with
ITSELF
In conclusion the judge said he had been
in the habit of imposing the lowest penalty
in cases where the defendants appeared for
the first time. Such fine, 80, was i'm
posed upon Mr.. Gray. The judge said he
would not say what Mr.. Gray might expect
at the hands of the court should he again
appear upon a similar charge.