Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-05-25
ROESSLER DENIES POISONOUS
OD0RS COME FROM WORKS
Both Sides Have
Counsel at
Hearing.
AT CITY HALL

During a hearing before the Board
of Aldermen, as a committee Of the
whole, last night, Franz Roessler,
vice president of the Roessler g.
Hasslacher Chemical Company, de-
MED that poisonous fumes were
emitted by plant No. g. as was set
forth in two petitions containing over
700 signatures which were submit
ted to the council recently.
Mr.. Roessler declared that, as far
as he knew, there were no odors from
the plant or, If there were, they were
not unhealthful. He said that a
method was used at the plant to pre-
vent such conditions and that, If the
present plan had proved ineffective,
the company had in mind the erec-
tion of a taller stack
Rev. Julian Zielinski, who was
present with about five other COM
plainants, said that there were poi
sonous fumes from the plant, espec-
tally when there was an easterly
wind. He declared, that he and the
members of his household had been
made Ill by the odors which, he as
serted, caused burning sensation in
the mouth. Another of the COM
plainants spoke along the same lines
Senator Silzer Speaks.
George s. Silzer. of New Bruns-
wick, who was present as counsel for
Father Zielinski and the other petit
TONERS, made a long speech in which
he said that the plant was a public
nuisance and that the city ought to
take up the matter, instead Of in
dividuals, as was suggested by G. c..
Hommann, who represented the
chemical works. He said that the
city should instruct it's city attorney
to apply to the courts for an injunc-
tion against the factory and ask the
assistance of the attorney general.
Senator Silzer said that 1t was not
the intention of the complainants to
drive the factory out of town, but
that the health and comfort of the
public must be protected
City Attorney Counsel for Company.
G. G. Hommann spoke and told the
committee that, although city attor-
ney, he was also counsel for the
chemical company and had been for
some time. He reiterated what Mr..
Roessler had said and suggested that
the eomplainants themselves file a
bill in the court OF chancery to have
the alleged nuisance abated He In
directly referred to damage suits
which had been brought against the
company and several others in pro-
gress now. as likely reason why
this has not been done
All Of the aldermen were present
at the hearing. which was held in
the council chamber at the city hall
Alderman-at-Large Voorhees, called
1t to order shortly after $3.50 o'clock
and, after explaining the situation in
brief, announced that 1t was open for
discussion.
Shift Blame to Other Plant.
The aldermen made no decision in
the matter last night and 1t will
probably be taken up again at the
next regular meeting of the council
City Attorney Hommann said this
morning that he does not see how
the city can take any action and that
last night he asked Mr.. Silzer to
show him some city which had acted
in matter of this kind. If he can
show me one," said Mr.. Hommann,
then we may be able to find out
what course to pursue Mr. HON.
mann says that he does not believe
the plant causes any poisonous or
unhealthful fumes, but that what the
residents of the locality notice is
from the kilns at the Perth Amboy
Terra Gotta plant.