The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-22
B|DDLE IS PAT
ON SMOKE LAW
Has Valuable Views From
Delaware Concern.
INTERESTING DATA IN HAND
m
INTERESTING DATA IN HAND
Those Who Have Succeeded in Over
coming the Problem of Perfect
Combustion of Coal.

Col. John Biddle District Engineer
Commissioner who yesterday an
nounced his satisfaction with the smoke
law as it stands and reported unfavor-
ably on the proposed three-minute
amendment, did not determine def
nitely what his action would be until
he had collected a large amount OF in
teresting data IN reference to the mat
ter
Commissioner Macfariand also col
lected data in the same connection
Among those with whom Colonel BID
ole correspondent were Joseph Bancroft
d Sons. OF Wilmington. Del manufac-
turess and Overs. Their testimony was
that TO place such conditions as the
present District law imposes on any
ore engaged IN manufacturing is to
prescribe conditions which are not pos
sibie In ordinary practice.
Advocates Three Minutes
This firm advocated the three-minute
allowance TO protect plants in cases Of
accidents or breakdowns when the auto
matte stokers would have to give way
temporarily TO hand stocking. II was
further explained, however. that Dela-
Ware has anti-srnoke regulations.
Colonel Biddle was probably largely
influenced By such extracts as the fol-
lowing from a statement by William
II. Booth, OF the American Society of
Civil Engineers. and John b. c. Kew
shaw, of London. on Smoke Proven
ton and Fuel Economy
Eve believe that coal of bitumin Gus
quality is capable of perfect combustion
and that black smoke is merely so much
evidence of improper design. This de-
feet may be due either to insufficient
knowledge OF the scientific principles of
: combustion on the part OF the designer
or TO parsimony on the part of the
buyer and owner of the plant
we say emphaticaily there is no
need of smoke. Its production is evil
dence of neglect of simple laws of
chemistry. Smoke can be prevented
Can Be Prevented.
Experience shows that smoke can
often be prevented by the admission OF
very large excess of air. This has
been done by admitting it under the
crate and through the lower part of the
BRIDGE
Smoke ought to be attacked, not only
because it brings dirt and depression in
its train, but because its emission is ac-
companied by that of gases which are
directly detrimental TO the health OF
all living things, and at the same time
carry away much heat from the plant of
the fuel user.
Views of Mr.. Kent.
william Kent. Of New York author
of ..Stesm Boiler Economy" is quoted
asfollows: ''Of all known methods of
burning soft coal the worst is the one
which is most commonly practiced. viz.
that of burning 1t in a common furnace.
consisting of set of grate-bars and q
space of contra cted dimensions between
them and the heating surface of ths
boiler. the coaI being fed by hands.
This method is suitable for anthra-
cite coal, the smaller sizes containing
much surface moisture perhaps except
ed. but when used for bituminous coal il
is Objectionable both on account oil
smoke and on account of loss of econ.
ony All of the loss due to smoky
chimneys il Is quite possible TO avoid
by. the use of weiI-known and well-triec
appliances
Smoke May Be Avoided.
This author maintains that smoke may
be avoided provided the following con
ditions are compiled with:
That the gases are distilled from tn,
coal slowly.
liit EdSto WHICH GiSii4lSG
brought into intimate contact with very
hot air.
That they are burned in a hot fire
brick chamber.
That while burning they are not al
lowed TO come in contact with com
paratively cool surfaces, such as tn
shell or tubes of a steam boiler; thi.
means that the gases shall have suffi
cient space and time in which TO bun
before they are allowed TO come in con
tact with the boiler surfaces.
Other Similar Statements.
Similar statements were made by al
bert A. Cary. of New York. and othe
scientists and engineers
DR.. Woodward, Health Officer, points
To the improved conditions in the plan
OF the Potomac Electric Light Company
at Fourteenth and y Streets Of which
the President complained in November
as proof Of the possibility of prevent
ing smoke oy proper methods. Since al
expert now employed at that plant has
teen in the city. the District authorize: