The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-21
Little Rock, Ark, October IT. 1s1o
The Burning of Garbage

Tc the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 The marvellous growth of Birmingham has been remarked on throughout the thrust many problems upon us, problems that it behooves a great city to consider and one of the most important of these Is the disposition of garbage and all forms of waste material. I have been asked by a number of people to explain in the daily press what I have found to be the most modern way of disposing of garbage. and while there are many methods in vogue all perhaps with some good points to rec ormend them. I have found after care full study only one way that has been en- tirely successful and this is complete in- cineration. By this I mean the entire annihilation of all organic and germ life and this from a health standpoint means a great deal in our own climate.
 What is known as the high tempera- ture type incinerators or Instructors has countries. On this continent similar plants have been built in New York, Milwaukee. Seattle, Montreal, Buffalo and Vancouver, and one is now being erected in Mont gomery. All of these cities, with the ex- ception of Montgomery have tried the low temperature type of crematory and reduc- ton without success, and have abandoned their old plants at great financial loss to install the more modern system, which I am going to explain to you.
 First of all. it is easiest for the house. holder as only one receptacle Is neces- sary and into this can may be put all forms of waste, ashes, wastes, kitchen refuse and even tin cans; for all Is en- tirely destroyed. The single can has ad- vantages aside from the mere convenience the importance of which at a glance may not be recognized. The ashes are alkaline and as they absorb the free moisture contained in the garbage the whole mass is rendered more sanitary and decomposition Is retarded, a particu- lar advantage in 8 warm climate and in a city like ours, where it Is impossible to empty every can every day. On the other hand. the moisture Is sufficient to thoroughly wet the ash, so when being hauled through the streets the contents of the carts are not objectionable; there Is no dirty dripping, no clouds of dust to offend the senses or spread disease germs by the score.
 On arrival at the plant the carts dump their loads direct into a receiving hopper, from whence 1t is raked Into the furnace and destroyed at temperature of 2O0O degrees Fahrenheit, without additional fuel. The temperature maintained Is suf- ficient to destroy any form of organic or germ life and to render the entire process odorless, but to doubly Insure the elimination of odor the escaping gases are passed through a large combustion chamber where combustion Is completed at 1900 degrees Fahrenheit. Here car ca sses of dead animals are destroyed in a very short time; 20 minutes being suf- ficient for an ordinary sized mule. After completing their work In the combus- tion chamber these hot gases are passed through a steam boiler and from the heat sufficient steam is generated to do either the municipal lighting or pump ing.
 After leaving the boiler the gases are passed through a pre-heater which heats the air used by the forced draft to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and thence they es- cape to the stack and the entire process is accomplished without odor, without smoke, and without a single objection able feature that would render the plan a nuisance in the heart of the town. This ability to have the plant centrally located is distinct advantage, as the hauling can be done quicker and cheaper than to a low temperature or reduction plant which, on account of its odor, must be as far away as possible-the farther the better. The by-product of steam and clinker (the latter, by the way, Is the only residue and is excellent for concrete work, sidewalks, curbing, etc, and only obtainable from the high temperature plants) net return in money sufficient to pay all operating expenses and leave a handsome balance; where. on the other hand, all other types are operated at a dead expense, not only for labor, but for additional fuel. Yours very truly,
 E. l.. PENRUDDOCKE.