Evening star., 1908-02-04
MODIFICATION OF SMOKE LAW
APPEAL MADE BY GEORGE
TOWN ASSOCIATION.
Cooperation of Other Associations
in, the Movement Invoked.
Street Improvements Desired.


District smoke law and vigorous pro-
test against any attempt to make it more
stringent consumed a greater portion Of
the time Of the Georgetown Citizens As
sociation meeting last night in Fishers
Hail. The discussion ended by Mr..
George A. King. president appointing a
special committee of three to confer with
other citizens associations of the District
upon the subject and draft an amendment
to the law. subject to the approval of the
association.
The resolution on the subject was intro
duced by Mr.. Thomas T. Staunton and
was unanimously adopted. 1t set forth
that committee of three from this as
sociation be appointed by the president to
devise an amendment to the present
smoke law. in which districts outside of
the residential section of the city may be
defined where it will not be effective, and
that the committee confer with other as
sociations relative to the subject
In presenting the motion for the action
of the association Mr.. StauntOn said:
'aThis city may never be the Glasgow of
Scotland. the Birmingham Of England.
Pittsburg or a Frankfort from manu-
featuring standpoint, but it has chance
to build up thriving industries if the in
dustrial promotions are only given
chance The present smoke law is an
abomination. Under its provisions manu-
facturers are driven away, prospective
establishments are scared of. and those
small ones which are compelled to remain
here are continually subjected to fines in
the Police Court
"As | understand the law. if smoke
issues from stack one minute the COM
pany or individual who is unfortunate
eonugh to own it is spotted by one of
corps of inspectors and immediately
placed under arrest. What chance has
any industry, small or large. under such
conditions? There should be radical
change toward making the provisions
more liberal than more stringent and |
am reliably informed greater liberality
will in all probability prevail
..There should be an amendment where
by the present smoke law may remain
effective in the heart of the city. or the
residential section, but permitting lib
erality on the outskirts, which, instead OF
driving away manufacturing establish
ments, will encourage them. =
Committee Appointed.
Mr. Staunton's resolution was enthu-
siastically received, and Immediately after
it's passage the committee. consisting of
Mr.. Staunton and Mr.. Thomas Bradley
were named with the third member of
be selected later on. 1t is the purpose of
the committee to begin work Immediately.
and If possible an appeal will be made to
Congress for drastic remedy in the mat
ter.
The committee on legislation, thrlngh its
chairman, T. Janney Brown. reported a
conference with the District Commission
ers relative to asphalting Wisconsin ave-
nue. and p street The chairman stated
to the association that upon presenting pc
titions on the subject to the Commission
ers an appropriation of from $4,000 to
S25, 600 could be obtained. in all probabil-
ity from Congress for the asphaltng Of
Wisconsin avenue from to u streets.
and P street from Wisconsin avenue to
2sth street The report was adopted and
it was decided to forward the necessary
petitions Immediately.
President King read letter to the as
sociation which he had prepared to be
sent to Senator Gallnger, chairman of the
Senate District committee. appealing for
relief. by larger appropriations in the
hauling of the city refuse. in order that
the dumping. which has become a nui-
sance, may be eliminated in the Rock
Creek valley.
Mr.. King said he had been informed by
the Commissioners that the allowance for
hauling refuse at the rate of 10 cents a
cubic yard would not permit them to
make longer haul than that to Rock
Creek valley without going beyond their
present appropriation. The letter was re-
ferred to the committee public i'm
provements with instructions that 1t be
forwarded 20 Senator Galinger at once.
1t Is hoped through larger appropria-
tions the dumping in Rock Creek valley
may be entirely abandoned.
Division of Duties.
The question of the associations Sec
ton limits was brought up by DR.. Thomas
T. Jones. chairman of the committee on
public improvements. After a protract ed
discussion it was decided that in. recon-
mending improvements coming under the
head of the committee it should act under
it's own Judgment in. all matters outside
of the recognized limits of Georgetown.
\ communication from the Anacostia
Citizens Association inviting the associa-
ton to send IL committee to confer upon
the advisa bility of organizing central
citizens association was referred to the
executive committee for action.
1t was stated that in all probability En-