The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-02
Light Showers Yesterday Promised Temporary Relief
 from Evil Besetting City
SUGGESTION MADE THAT
 FIRE DEPARTMENT ADJ
Several Think Wagon SprinkIers nnd Street Car Sprinkler Should Re Run Day and Night to Cope With
 the Dust Situation

dust in Birmingham, but the fact that three or four hours of sunshine will cause return of the evil makes the dust problem retain its serious aspect. Every man approached by Age-Herald representatives yesterday was avowed in his statements that the situation was an I extremely serious one. and that some | thing should be done to relieve it. The methods of solution suggested are very much along the same lines. but every one agreed that the matter needed the | immediate attention of the Board of Al dermen. The aldermen as a rule appreciate the dust problem and express themselves as being of the opinion that the dust should be settled But few of them can see room for improvement over the present arrangements, however, unless the $400, 600 bond issue carries. So far nothing has been done by them beyond author izing Mayor OBrien to purchase four sprinklers.
 Some of the suggestions to keep the dust down. now that it is settled for a few hours by the rain, are to work the seven sprinklers of the city day and night and the street car company to operate it's sprinkler car in the same way on all lines.
 To do this would probably require the purchase of dozen more mules, but with the citys health at stake, it is ar gued, this outlay of money could not be regarded as other than small expendi- ture. All of the side streets in the resi- dence section, 1t is suggested, could be sprinked at least once during the night, while the main arteries of travel could be sprinkled several times during the day. In the meantime 1t is further suggested that the members of the fire department might do good work by using the fire hose to clean the brick and bitulithic streets.
 B. l.. Loventhal
 "The dust proposition is a matter of grave importance" said Benjamin l.. Loventhal yesterday afternoon. 'It Is a more important issue than anything be- fore the people of Birmingham and there is need of immediate solution. Tempora- rily the fire department might help out bit in cleaning the hard paved streets by the use of the fire hose. It is to be hoped that the Board of Aldermen will take steps at once looking toward relief in the matter"
 zac Smith
 Zac Smith says the problem is a se- rious one and needs instant attention. "The dust problem Is one which is well worth the consideration of the city fa- thers," said MT. Smith. There should be some method of keeping the bitulithic and brick streets clean, as at present they are very dirty and the sprinkling serves to cake the dirt. All of the streets and car lines should be sprlnkled at short intervals, while the macadamized streets should by all means be kept we'll sprinkled. With the present condition 1t is wonderful that we do not have more disease, while the damage by dust to the stocks in stores is heavy The matter should be taken up by the Board of Aldermen at once. By all means all trackage of the street railway company should be sprinkled."
 Robert ProweII
 Robert Prowell says the dust Is ruin. ing stocks of stores and that the sit uation is so serious that 1t demands the instant attention of the Board Of Aldermen. The streets should be placed into good, clean condition and then kept well sprinkled," said MT Prowell. The dust is proving dana ging to my stock of goods and will ruin hardware. The purchase of more sprinklers by the city, their con stant operation and also the continued operation of the car sprinkler by the street car company is what is needed.
 Alderman M. H. McDoweIl
 Alderman M H. McDowell of the Sixteenth ward member of the street committee, favors the purchase of more sprinklers by the city, but does not think the street car company shouil be required to sprinkle where the city does not. He believes that oil is the only solution and Is in favor of tho citys oiling all macadam mixed streets. T would certainly be in favor of any mea sure looking toward the oiling of the macadamized streets" said Mir Me Dowell T would also be in favor oe the purchase of great many more sprinklers by the city. As to compcll- ing the street cal company, however. to water every bit of tis track. I can't say that I think it would be fair. as 1t would put them to unusual expense, and 1t would bc hardly fair to make them sprinkle where the city did not
 Alderman J. R. Copeland
 Alderman J. R. Copeland of the Fourth watd, also member of the street committee. is in favor of doub- ling the present equipment of sprink- ling carts if there is way for the city to raise the money, 1T think the street car company should pay it's pro rata expense for sprinkling on all streets which it traverses that are sprnkled by the city but do net think 1t would be exactly right to make them sprinkle where the city did not. I would be very much in favor of doubling the present sprinkling equip ment of the city. AN to oil. 1t is un- douhtedly a good solution of the dust problem. but l can't see how the city would be financially able to go ahead with this work
 Hugo Marx
 "Tbe dust nuisance is a live issue and a serious one, too,' said Hugo Marx. "The citizenship has endured the evil with remarkable patience, but [ For one feel that it's time for rad ,cal measures. To start with every Reieian block in the business district should be torn up and asphalt paving l~ubstituted. You can't say single Ilaudatory word for the rough stones. They are rough for traffic and hold all manner of filth in the crevices. The citv paid for these pavements They arc antiouatcd and sh ould be replaced .,l- ore v,a wing tho cost