The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-03-06
THOROUGH STUDY
OF SMOKE BEGUN
Experts to Investigate For the
University of Pittsburgh
2 YEARS MAY BE REQUIRED
Effect Of SCOT on Health, Wealth and
Minds of Plants and People to
Be Noted-Merchants to
Be Interviewed.

Pittsburgh, Pa.-"Does a pail of
smoke hanging over community add
to the cost OF living? Does it stunt
the growth of plants and trees? Does
it shorter the hours of daylight and
dull the sunbeans? Does it impair
the working efficiency of the health of
the people? And last, but not least,
does smoke tend to make persons
mean, grumpy and depressed?
These are some of the questions
that the Industrial Research Depart
ment OF the University of Pittsburgh
will strive to answer by means of the
most exhaustive investigation of the
smoke problem that has ever been
made. Sixteen experts will conduct
the investigation. Eight of them will
work continually under the direction
of DR.. Raymond C. Benner, who has
charge of the inquiry. The investi-
cation may take two years to COM
plete BY the end of that time or
sooner DR.. Brenner hopes to have
amassed volume of information that
will show Just what part smoke plays
In the life of any city.
The investigation will be made
along all possible lines that may be
practicable. The effect OF smoke will
be studied from the botanical, econo-
mical physiological and psychological
points of view. The legal aspects
Of the problem will not be forgotten,
Ordinances adopted by different cities
In this country and abroad will be re-
viewed and the results of their en-
forcement noted.
Engineers will find out just what
manufacturing plants are emitting
smoke and which are not. Why smoke
is emitted or why it is absent, as the
case may be, what means, il any, have
been employed TO prevent smoke.
The relation of smoke to efficient me-
chanical operation will be studied,
as it is maintained by some authorities
that the imperfect consumption of
coal which causes smoke, means a
waste of fuel ranging from 10 to 90
per cent.
A botanical survey of Pittsburgh
and vicinity will be made to find out
what plans grow best and which are
hindered by smoke. Extensive labor
atory experiments will be made to de.
termine what injury if any is done to
plant life by smoke.
Architects will take observations as
to the damage caused by smoke to
buildings and building materials. The
additional cost of maintenance due to
these conditions will be estimated.
The merchants of the city will be
interviewed to find out to what eX-
tent goods are damaged by smoke,
The additional labor necessary
for housewives to keep their homes
clean, and, the work required with
scrubbing brushes to counteract the
blight Of smoke will be computed in
dollars and cents as nearly as possi'
be.
Seven doctors will study the effect
of smoke on the general health of the
community and its results on differ
ent organs when breathed into the
lungs. Some medical authorities say
this does not harm and believe that
smoke has an injurious effect on nose,
throat and lungs. 1t will be the aim
of the physiological probe to get at
the facts.
DR.. Benner will make an exhaustive
study of the chemistry of smoke.
"Very little is known of the chemistry
of smoke" said he. Ordinarily
smoke is considered soot If that
were all it is the problem would be
easy. But smoke contains other sub
stances. 1t is probable that it con
tains tar and 1t has acids, including
hydrochloric and sulphuric. II is the |
tar that makes it stick to buildings, !
while the acid eats away the material
In time
The psychological aspect of the !
smoke question is the most interest
ing as well as the most intangible |
that the research department will en-
counter. 1t is impossible to deter
mine just what effect smoke has on
the disposition and temperament of a
person. The men in charge of this
part of the investigation have heard
of people committing suicide because
Of gloomy surroundings. 1t is con
certain that the effect of liv-
ing in the place which is overhung by
clouds of smoke is depressing on the
mind.