New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-25
FACTS ABOUT SMOKE.

There are certain practical facts which ought
/ to be kept clearly and constantly in mind con-
corning the campaign for pure air in New 1ork
which The Tribune has long been waging ana
in which the Health Department now shows
somewhat belated but commendable disposition
TO join under pressure from an organization or
public spirited citizens.
One is that the campaign is not against any
particular kind of fuel, but against all smoke
that darkens and de1les the air and dirties the
city Men may burn what they please-hard
coal. soft coal, wood or peat But they must so
burn it that it will not emit offensive smoke;
and If they do not know how to burn any certain
fuel without emitting foul smoke, or if they are
not willing TO take the pains to do so, they
must quit burning it and use some other fuel
which will be smokeless.
Another is that this campaign is inspired by
the most practical and unitarian. as well as
aesthetic motives. 1t would be shameful to have
our buildings all blackened with smoke and our
crystalline atmosphere made murky. But there
may be those who care not for such things. II
So they may be moved by more sordid consid-
erations They should note some of the testi-
mOny given in an article in another column OF
this paper. manufacturer finds it almost i'm
possible now TO make silk goods in delicate
shades in this city because of smoke pollution
of the air Architects and other craftsmen
10 save their drawing paper from being smudged
with black smoke. In the humber walks of life
washerwomen find It difficult to ply their neces-
sary trade because of the SCOT which falls upon
clothes hung out 10 dry. The suppression Of
smut smoke is demanded for the sake Of dollars
and cents. as well as of art and beauty.
a third fact is that it is up to" the Depart
ment Of Health TO free the city and keep 1t free
from polluting smoke. Sections 1851. ,262 and
264 of the City's charter give that department
ample power to do this work The department
may make whatever orders and rules are needed
to that end. and may enforce them by sum
marily arTesting every offender against them
such offender being liable to Indictment and
punishment for misdemeanor. According to the
reported statement of the Health Commissioner,
the department has power under the charter to
extinguish every fire in the city. If it can put
out all the fires. it certainly can stop the smoke
We may add one other fact This is that the
newly. formed Anti-SmOke League is growing in
numbers and influence. and means business"
1t ought not to be necessary to form such organ
izations TO aid or TO compel public officers to do
their duty. But at times ii does seem necessary
TO do so here. and on various occasions such or
ganizatiOns have done great civic good. We
know that at this time there is urgent need that
something shall be done, and we trust that the
constituted authorities will SO bestr themselves
for doing it that this volunteer body will not
have to urge them TO their duty with legal con
! straint, but will have merely the more congeniaI
/ privilege Of aiding them in a work for which
! they should have resolute zeal.