The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-05-07

book of immense value. II American
cities are behind the cities of Europe
in the publication of sewage and the
utilization of refuse, It is not owing
to any lack Of skill on the part Of
American engineers but solely to the
fact that such matters have been left
to politicians instead Of to sanitary
experts.
The air we breathe should be no
less pure than the water we drink.
Chicago, st. Louis, Cleveland and
Boston have active societies devoted
to the abatement Of the smoke nuis-
ance, and their respective secretaries
willingly furnish to each inquirer all
the information they have been able
to collect.
The anti-smoke ordinance of st.
Paul has been impartially enforced
by political board of health
and 80 per cent Of the smoks has
been proved to be preventaEle. A
pamphlet on 1.-THE Smoke Nuisance
of St. Paul." by DR.. Justus Ohage,
health commissioner of that city, can
be obtained from the American Civic
Association, 703 North American
building, Philadelphia.
1t is Of especial interest to our
smaller towns, where the smoke nui-
sance is represented only by the black
clouds which rise from railway en-
gines, to know that such smoke is al
SO preventable. The Boston & Maine
Railroad burns coke in most of it's
passenger engines, the recent inven-
tions for utilizing the by-products in
the manufacture Of coke making that
fuel almost as cheap as coal The
Wabash Railroad has proved that the
same end can De achieved by me-
chanical device on the engine, which
insures better combustion.
Equally good results have been OBJ
tanned merely by care and skill in
firing, and it is not too much to say
that most Of the railway smoke, like
most of the smoke from manufactor-
les, is owing to negligence and indif-
ference to the public comfort.
The Mutual Boiler Insurance COM
pany, of Boston, has issued a circular
on the prevention of smoke, in which
they demonstrate how large per-
centage of smoke can be avoided by
intelligent firing; but to bring about
this good result, stocking must be rails
ed to the rank of skilled labor; fire.
men must be trained workmen and
more of them must be employed. The
question thus becomes a moral one.
Are the rgeat users of soft coal justi-
fed in polluting the atmosphere and
injuring the property Of their neigh
bors to save the wages of few addi-
tional skilled firemen.
United States Consul-General Guen-
Their writes from Frankfort to the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor,
May goth, 1905; "For severa years
past the state governments of Germ
any have given attention to the smoke
nuisance. Since the owners of steam
plants frequently failed to show in
terest in the training of their firemen
and entrusted their boilers to ignor
ant men, the government, three years
ago, instituted travelling courses of |
instruction for firemen. The instruc-
ton is given in fourteen day courses
and comprises theoretical and practi-
cal instruction by trained engineer
and a competent fireman. It's object
Is not only the prevention of smoke,
but an economical treatment Of steam
boilers, SO that the public interest
and that of the owners of boilers are
both taken into account. The inter
EST shown in this instruction is con-
stantly increasing, and its value, bas-
I'd upon the results obtained, is more
md more appreciated" Why can
lot this plan be carried out in Amer
ca?
DR.. Charles A. L. Reid, of Cincin-
lati, Chairman of the Legislative
Committee of the American Medical
Association, advises that national
convention be called and
he subject discussed from every
In the meantime, women
an further the cause of atmospheric
cleanliness by asking for anti-smoke
rdinances and creating public opin-
on that will demand their enforce
nenr
Our food appears to be as impure
s our air and our water. The re-
orts of the different state boards !
1 health and of the bureau of chem !
stry at Washington show such an APP {
alling percentage of adulteration in ,,
ur commonest and most necessary !
nndC thot rottAroI $3.50 81 =