The Washington herald., 1907-07-01

Editor The Washington Herald.
I notice that Mr.. Weaver objects TO the
smoke law as a hlndrance to the estab-
/ lishment Of manufactures in the District
/ He seems to be laboring under the inn
preston that because the furnaces OF
steam boilers as now constructed, pro-
duce smoke, It is impossible 20 prevent H.
and that for that reason the smoke law
should be changed or repealed
There never was a greater mistake. for
it is not only possible. but a very simple
matter SO TO construct and r;n the fur
mace Of a steam boiler as practically to
prevent the formation and emission OF
visible smoke, and at the same time save
from 10 to - per cent in the cost Of fuel.
This is no idle or chimerical statement.
for il has been done time and again, and
Is perfectly easy of demonstration, and
[ that too, without resetting the boiler.
| The only changes required are IN the
furnace itself, by which the eight or ten
thousand feet of gas given of by each
ton Of soft coal is properly supplied with
the requisite amount of oxygen 10 cause
that gas to be burned in the furnace.
thereby adding largely to the amount OF
/ heat. instead Of allowing the greater por-
ticn of the gases to pass up tine chimney
uncOnsumed, as is the usual custom. The
idea is to produce perfect combustion or
as nearly 50 as possible. for when there is
perfect combustion there is no visible
smoke, while at the same time the
amount or degree OF heat is largely in
creased.
One may naturally inquire why. if this
be so. this plan has not been universally
adopted. / answer, simply because the
owners Of steam boilers generally do not
know of 1t, and those whose attention
has been called 20 it are not willing 10 be
at the trouble OF making the change. ]
know several parties in this city whose
attention was called to il soon after the
law was passed. and who for one reason
or another declined to adopt it, and who
have since paid in fines far more than
enough to have paid for the improve
ment. The saving in fuel would pay the
cost of making the change In two years
az farthest.
I suggest that those who desire the in
PRODUCTION Of manufactures, the Business
Mems Association. or the new Chamber
of Commerce. unite with the Commits
sioners and induce Congress to make A
small appropriation to demonstrate the
practicahility OF the plan. if there is stu
doubt Of IT, Surely, that would he far
better and more beneficial than trying 10
secure repeal Ct the smoke law. for
every citizen. whether engaged in manu-
features or not, is interested in abolish
ing the smoke nuisance alike injurious
to health and property
There is another means OF securing a
large amount Ct power without smoke.
and that is using the water power Of
both Great ard Little Falls for the gen.
GRAFTON Of electric power This would
be specially adapted to manufacturing
purposes within the city. ard could be
used anywhere. 1t is quite common
nowadays for large factories to use their
steam power 20 generate electricity. and
use il FOR operating their various
machines separately, each having its own
individual motor, and which is far more
economical. as the power necessary %
drive Ions lines Of shafting, &c, for
tho machines not I'm use is saved
There are few cities which possess
greater advantages than this District for
carrying on a large manufacturing bust
ness, but it cannot be done without using