Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-01
LIVELY CHARGES
IN SHELTER CASE

Lively charges that tho American
digal son by the farmers. while the
United States shelter, which had been
"a leader in all efforts to solve the
smoke problem, was being grossly dis
eliminated against flew across the
United states court room this morning
from Judge Andrew Howatt addressed
to Senator Joseph l.. Rawlins, of coun>
sci for the farmers.
From Senator Rawlins spirited at
tack had been launched against Mr.
Sprague OF the smelter's witnesses, who
was described as presumptuous and
innocent youth. instead of an inventor,
who was actually brought forward as
an expert because no reputable scientist
dared TO risk his reputation upon the
statements Mr., sprague was called up
on to make,
The hearing of the petition of the
United States smelter for a modification
of the decree under which 1t is now
forced TO operate was concluded before
Judge Marshall this morning, and at
ment, until Saturday morning.
That the United States smelter Of
ficlals feel keenly the fact that the
American smelter secured a moditica
lion of the decree was apparent
through todays argument, and stung
by the declarations attacking Its eN-
pert witness, Judge Howatt Expressed
this feeling in strong language. Sena-
tor Rawlins was equally strong in his
n he
people shown by the shelters in set
Ting down in utah's most fertile val
ley, where the people should not BE-
harassed, and then continuing to emit
from their flues gases and fumes IN
furious to health and destruction TO
vegetation.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS.
The entire morning was consumed in
hearing the closing arguments, both
Judge Dickson and Judge Howatt
speaking for the smelter and Senator
Rawins alone speaking for the farm
ers. Judge King. for the farmers, was
present, but did not speak. OF the
valley residents. there was u large del
egation seated behind the railing where
thep ublic is admitted.
Judge Dickson IN opening dwelt up
on the expense OF 500 600 that would be
made for converter roasters, If the de-
cree were granted: Of the siep a09 that
would otherwise be spent to make the
changes demanded, and of the testi-
mony of DIR. Talmage, Or. Thomas,
Prof Ebaugh. and the authorities on
the relative amount of damage done
by flue dust and by fumes, and by sui
phur dioxide specifically.
Judge Dickson expressed the Wiling
ness OF the smelter to close, ii after
these changes It continues to do dam
age as he declared its owners did not
wish to continue in the valley In con-
slant antagonism 10 the farmers.
BAG HOUSE CLAIMS.
Senator Rawlins in reply attacked the
claims as 10 what the bag house could
do, and attempted to show that great
damage would result TO vegetation
from sulphur dioXlde gas, which he
quoted authorities TO show. became sui
phurlc acid when in contact with
plants, especially in damp weather, the
bleaching of fields demonstrating the
action OF removing the Ghlorophyl in
making the acid. on declaring that the
smelter had specified no time in which
a test could be determined whether 1t
did damage, Judge Marshall interrupt
ed to ask whether the smelter would
agree to such a time limit, and Judge
Howatt explained that one growing
season after the plant was put in shape,
would be sufficient to make the demon