The Minneapolis journal., 1906-06-29
CITIES WAR ON
SMOKE NUISANCE.
International Association to Aid
Cleanliness Formed
at Detroit.

Detroit, June ga concerted move
ment OF international scope, the first
ever undertaken for the abatement Of
the smoke nuisance, was launched here
when the International Association for
the Prevention of Smoke was organ
lied.
The formation of the society, which
includes both public officials and lay
men who are interested in furthering
the movement, means not only CEN
tralization of the forces fighting for
the blue sky but marks a forward
step in the general struggle for munici-
pal cleanliness.
The association was organized at a
convention Of delegates representing
nearly every section of the country.
Harmony and enthusiasm were the dis
tinctive features and thruout the day
opinions on the. question of checking
the owners Of chimneys from polluting
the air.
One Of the most interesting contribu-
tions to the general discussion was Civ
en- by S. T. Douglas of the Detroit
board of health, who read paper on
"The Needed Legislation Mr.. Doug
las not only advocated a comprehensive
law, but insisted that engineers and
fremen and others should be prosecuted
as well as their employers.
SNe1A44Oo Se@AAE04SA 4o14s
Mr.. Douglas then outlined general
plan for an effective anti-smoke cam
palgn:
practically uniform in all cities. Its
enforcement to be put, in the hand of
a non partizan board.
Every boiler plant, whether newly
equipped or re-equipped, should comply
with all the requirements of a clearly
defined ordinance or CODE.
Responsibility for violations of the
smoke ordinance should not only lie
with the owner, agent or lessee, but
should include managers, yardmasters,
engineers, tiremen or any other en-
ployees. i %% -
The knowledge of what is proper
device for any particular plant should
and the exact merits Of every smoke
device made public. 49,. - m.
Owners should be taught that the
best fuel for steam purposes is the
cheapest in the end. 5.a.s .. f. ~.
Offenders should be given a reason
able time to reform, but when they re-
fuse the law should be rigidly enforced.
a.. Tells Of Chicago Fight.
Smoke Inspector Schubert, Chicago
told of the fight Chicago has made for
purer air, i'>'s + .<...z'-.
'<"Until few years ago Chicago did
not work along right lines to abate the
smoke nuisance,'' said Mr.. Schubert.
"In 1908 new. idea on the subject,
tain newspapers and prominent citizens.
resulted in the creation Of the office of
smoke inspector, boiler Inspector and
supervising engineer of boiler plants.
Chicago's present mayor is stanch
supporter of the anti-smoke ordinance,
and and e under en new ordinance, &C.
fective and prompt work than we did
We we collected $500 in fine fines from one one rail. rail-
Eroad company, and since Jan. last we
have prosecuted 700 suits in which de-
PENDANTS were fined a total Of $1,000.
Little Good in Coaxing.
"I want to say that coaxing of de-
PENDANTS in smoke cases does not do
great deal Of good in the end. De-
/ PENDANTS find it easy to make promises,
| but it too often occurs that they fail to
live up to them. What is most needed
is persistent prosecution and the impo-
sition Of heavy fines. -
Mr.. Bement asserted that coal con-
sumption in Chicago had increased 400
per cent in the last twenty years, while
the amount of smoke in the downtown
district had been reduced by half.
The following officers were elected:
President-John Fairgrieve, Detroit.
Vice President-Charles Poethke, Mil
waukee.
Secretary -Treasurer-R. c. Harris. To-
ronto, Ont. ~
Among cities represented at the con-
vention are Philadelphia, Indianapolis,
Rochester, N. Y; Denver, Syracuse,
Cincinnati, Toledo, Milwaukee, Cleve-
i land and Toronto ------- -