Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-14
AN ADMITTED EVIL.

We have received letter from a vet
Urinary surgeon In this county. describe
ing the symptoms and effects Of arsenl-
cal poisoning among animals, caused
90 he afilrms by smoke from the smell
tere. He says further that this Is not
only njurlng the stock but IL killing
trees and shrubbery, iniuring the crops.
and rendering the homes OF many Of
our citizens valueless He describes a
case Of post-mortem examination made
by himself on a three-year-old lilly
which we need not repeat, nor yet his
predictions OF future consequences n
the smelter smoke is not put under con-
troll.
We believe that the gentleman has
rightly diagnosed the cases which he
describes and that unless something
practical Ia done to remedy the evil OF
which he complains all the disasters
that he foresees will possibly be rea-
llsed. But, as we understand the sltu-
alton, the smelter managers are fully
They do not dispute the fact that many
Of our farming people have been in
lured by smoke from the shelters. par.
ticularly during times when the air Is
humid They may not agree with all
the stories OF damage done to land and
crops and animals, indeed II IL claimed
by scientific investigators that land II
not permanently affected in the man
ner claimed, but they admit that dam
age has been done TO q number Of the
people In this valley, and they have
compromised with several OF them
and paid considerable sums IN settle
ment. And they are evidently endeay-
orlng to discover methods by which the
evil complained Of can be remedied.
Experts we understand, are now on the
spot inquIrlns into the whole difficult
ty and devisng means to remove It.
a very important question IL, whether
the expense likely 10 attend the work
of collecting the dust and chemically
correcting the noxIous fumes which do
too great to warrant the continuation Of
the industry II applied. Smelling like
all other branches OF business, is car
rled on for profit, not merely for pleas
great disaster to other industries be-
sides that Of smelling ores, II those es-
adjustments were closed down This
must be evident to every unbiased in
vestgator 1t would be n public calami-
IT,
our farming friends know very well
that the Deseret News has taken their
side Of the question to a considerable
extent We have explained the injury
which they have suffered, and have eS-
pressed the opinion that the evil can
be- overcome II q determined effort is
put forth TO accomplish It.. At the same
time, we have counselled moderation,
patience. and disposition to meet the
smeltcr people IN a friendly way with
a view to arriving AZ q proper under
standing aud some plan Of redress. We
do so now
Litigation is costly, and n possible
should be avoided Legislation which
would hamper, cripple or suppress any
important industry would be unwise
and impolitic But something will have
to be done 20 protect the agricultural
interests Of this county. and at the
snme time. n possible prevent the de-
structlon Of a valuable industry the
loss OF which would be exceedingly det-
rlmental to the material interests OF
this county and this state. The evil
is admitted, time IL needed to find and
apply the remedy