Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-02-03
Mr.. BUTLER DEN0UNCES
STATEMENT AS RIDICULOUS
Purifying Boxes Are Cleaned Daily
Now and Gas is Absolutely Pure,
Says General Manager Of Com
psny--New Equipment to be In
stalled at Plant About Apr:i I.

DeciartnS that the luHtoS S""SN
bronchitis and have u tendency to de-
stroy the corpuscles of the hlood, Dr.
William K. Aylett stated yesterday
that he has recommended TO aun-
Der of his patients that they discon-
tinue the burning of the gas furnished
by the Newport News Gas Company
until the gas Is properly purified. Dr..
Aylett said that he had had several
patients recently who were suffering
from bronchitis which had been
caused by the inhalation of the fumes
from the burning gas.
DIR. Aylett deciar-s that the fumes
from the gas so irri,ate the lungs and
destroy the corpules Of the blood that
= person is made susceptible TO any
kim. of disease and mora particularly
to tuberculosis. the blood being TOO
thin to throw OF the disease germs.
Warning from Health Officer.
A month IT more ago physicians
complained to Moyor Jones about the
FUMES arising from the gas being
dangerus and the mayor directed DR..
T. ]. Pretiow, the city health officer.
70 investigate. DIR. Pretlow held a
conference with General Manager w.
w. S. Butler and found that the con-
pany had ordered new purifying
boxes and that conditions would be
remedied as soon as possible. Fol-
lowing the conference DR.. PretlOw Is
Since that timc 1t il claimed that
sued a statement wirning the public
the fumes have made many women in
the city i'll. Councilman W. c. Har-
ris SAYS that Mrs. Harris has been
suffering from inhaiing the fumes and
now complains OF trouble with her
throat. He also tells OF an Incident
where II Is said that a negro woman
was washing In home in East End
and was overcome by the fumes. She
was carried home and a:other negro
woman went 20 the house TO wash the
clothes and that woman also WAS
overcome.
Gas to be Examined.
Al Tue UtctlnS OF tttt tohESi! ANN9-
DAY night, Mr. Harris introduced a
resolution requesting the board OF
hssltb 10 examine the gas and report
to the council whether or not rs use
Is dangerous 10 people. This Tesolu-
ton was passed under a suspension
OF the rules and DR.. Pret,ow will he
Instructed by the health board TO ex-
anime the gas and make the report.
DR.. Pretiow already hRs stated that
the use Of the gas Is dangerous.
General Manager w ". $. Butler
was seen last night and asked for a
statement relative To the gas. He de-
clared that the statements OF the ply
sicians that the use Of the gas pro
duces diseases and .hroa- trouble are
ridicu!cus aud reflect upon the intel
iigence OF the doctors. He says the
company las recently had a chemical
test made CT the coal and oil Used IN
making the gas and thu; both nave
bceH fcurd 10 &c pure. Records Of
nesc tests arc ncx OF iiic in the Of
ice OF the company.
Says Gas is Pure.
Mr.. Butler says hat tie gas cow
y absolutely pure. The purifying
boxes are to small fer the output.
but this handicap Is being overcome
by clearirg OFT the boxes each DAY.
He says that Il the boxes were large
enough they would not have TO BE-
cleaned nno;e than once every two
or three months. With the boxes
cleaned every day, a. says that the
gas lansf b pure.
In speaking q the improvements 70
the plant. Fir. Butler SSsd tina: tie
contract had Been AWARDED several
weeks ago and TIA. the res equip
mcnt Se Installed ~ Ar1l I. The
pcrifyi1E boxes. be says, are oaiy a
surzli part a. he new equipment.
New pumps and other machinery have
bcen ordered. :; being the Intention o.
TIE ccnpaay 20 double the present