The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-16
Prominent Citizens of the District Appear
Before Senate Committee and Urge
Modification of Existing Statute.
LARNER SAYS LAW WAS PASSED
FOR SMOKE CONSUMER FIRMS
General Harries Recites Expenditure of
$4,000. and Other Troubles of the Po-
tomae Electric Power Company.

The smoke law md the smoke nuis-
ance IN the District formed the subject
of an investigation made this morning
before the Senate Committee on the
District of Columbia. Stirring protests
against the law were made
John b. Larner and George II. Har-
ries addressed the committee, and Com
missioner Macfarlanad made brief
statement of the position of the Con-
missioners.
The Stewart bill. introduced at the last
session, was taken as the basis OF the
discussion This bill is as follows:
That on and after the passage of this
act the emission Of dense or thick black
or gray smoke or cinders for con-
tinuous period Of three minutes from
any smokestack or chimney used in
connection with any stationary engine,
steam boiIe-, or furnace of any descrip-
ton within the District OF Columbia
shall be 3eemed and is hereby declared
to be a public nuisance:
Provided, That nothing in this act
shall be construed as applied to CHM
news of buildings used exclusively for
private residences
Several members of the committee
manifested a very strong disposition 10
have private residences included in the
operation of the law, as well as stores.
apartment houses manufacturing estab-
lishments, and the like
Senator Mallory was emphatic on This
subject and Chairman GalIinger ex-
pressed himself 70 the same effect
Delegation Imposing.
The delegation of Washington business
men was an imposing one, embracing
many OF those prominent in the com
mers.ial life of the District It was
headed by the committee named at the
Saturday meeting TO select speaker, H
c. Jacobs, Charles F. Schneider, and
Gen. George H Harries. and was repre-
sented directly by John B. Larner, who
spoke in its interest
The District Commissioners were on
hand also TO watch proceedings and an
swer any questions that were asked
They watched with some disapprovai.
for their attitude on the matter IS well
known Commissioner Macfarland sum
med up their views when he said:
1.-The present law has worked so well
it should not be amended, save by in
eluding locomotive and stationary en-
gfnes in its provisions 1t would seem
TO me absurd that the 154 possible Sc
rious offenders should be permitted 10
offend, for three-minute periods, with
o:se-rninute intervals through every hour
of the twenty-four- Yet. this. is exactly
what the enactment of the Stewart
amendment would mean
Commissioners Not Agreed.
- ~ r-oor;,,i,,,r of +to 100 Sora
tor Gallinger asked Commissioner Mac
able TO agree upon their report as to
the propriety of the Stewart bill He
said they had not Engineer Commits
sioner Biddle said he had withheld the
expression OF his views pending the
present meeting. so he might have the
benefit of such new views as were pre-
Sented-
Senator Gallinger said he had received
Il letter from Mr.. Oliver. of Pittsburg.
who said there was no difficulty in pre-
venting the smoke nuisance
Il suppose" said the chairman. that
is the reason they have no smoke in
Pittsburg''
Senator Gallinger said he assumed the
representatives OF persons and capital
present desired to observe the law
Mr. Larner then began the presenta-
tion of the argument in favor OF the
modification OF the law. He said he was
not III very good hunor with the law.
as he was fresh from the Police Court,
where he had been required TO deposit
so collateral, TO answer for the appear
ance of client charged with an in
fraction of the law.
Argues for Modification.
dr. Iarner sketched briefly the history
OF anti-smoke legislation from the time
cf Watts invention OF smoke consum-
er. to the present day. The ''stoker,''
of which so much has been said recent
ly, was denounced by Mr.. Larner as a
total failure. Hr. Larner said the stoker
had been tried by Woodward & Lothrop
and had been entirely Ineffective
Mr.. Larner said the present law is i'm
possible of observance and makes
habituaI criminals OF good citizens, who
desire TO observe their every duty 10
the community
Humiliated in Court.
81 have been humili;tted In the Police
Court" said Mr.. Larner. II would walk
VI, 10 the lar TO represent client and
right next me would be a colnraon
drunk a smile would go around the
court room and the audible comment:
Another smoke-another drunk
In Interest of Devices.
Mr. Larner charged, in so many
words. that the smoke law was carried
through Congress in the interest of Ger
tain understanding devices.
Six months were allowed before the
bill was 10 go into effect This was TO
permit the smoke devices TO be installed