New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-26
PLANS CRUSADE TO
END SMOKE NUISANCE
Health Commissioner viii Start
Vigorous Warfare Early
in New Year.
CASES DELAYED IN COURTS
Hints at Amendments tt
Strengthen Sanitary Code
Federal Buildings
Worst Violators.

Health Commissioner Lederle plans
vigorous warfare on violators Of the anti
smoke section Of the sanitary code early
in 1915 As / starter in his crusade the
Commissioner will hold Il public meeting
in Brooklyn. which Will be attended by
representatives of all civic organizations.
As further means of effectively prose-
cutting violators Of the smoke reguia-
tions the Health Commissioner will send
letters to all organizations in other bor-
ougbs asking cooperation In the enforce
mont Of the smoke provision OF the SAM
tary code.
In speaking Of his plans In that direc-
ton. the Health Commissioner said yes
tcrday that he was very much dissatls-
fed with smoke conditions in this city.
Despite the efforts Of the department 10
apprehend violators there have been
many delays Of important cases in the
courts 1t is hoped to impress the neces-
sity for dealing WITH expedition win
such. cases in the future.
II mean 20 get at the bottom OF the
whole business" said the commissioner
The courts may have 10 be swamped
with cases against violators Of the smoke
regulations to bring about desired results.
The time has come, however, when the
responsibility must DC placed and the
nuisance abated.'
The Commissioner intlmated that II
might be necessary to amend tho sanitary
code smoke regulations. lie also said tho
crusade would be one OF the most i'm
portant undertakings OF his department
next year.
The reason for holding the public meet
ing In Brooklyn rather than ia other
boroushs was explained by tho Health
Commissioner as resulting from the great
number Of complaints from that borough
and the presence Of the nuisance there
TO a much greater extent than ia 'hy
other borough.
The federal buildings here are respon-
sitle for many complaints about the
smoke nuisance. Speaking OF that phase
of the matter the Health Commissioner
said:
"Of course the Department Of Health
has no Jurisdiction over the federal au-
thorities. bat it may be possible ~ get
them 10 conform to the smoke re6ui"-
tions here. TO that end / shall confer
with them, and ! hope that they will
agree 10 90 so. There have been many
complaints about the smoke issuing from
such buildings az the postoiilcc'
The city itself is giolator of the smoke
regulations In a number OF cases. said
the Health Commissioner, and hc will
10 80 O. -
ments which have been causing the uui-
san,e the question OF conforming To the
provisions of the sanitary code regulating
smoke. This section, known as No. ISL
il as follows:
30 person shall cause. suffer OF dio"
dense smoke TO be discharged from any
building. vessel. stationary or locoinotlN'
engine or motor vehicle. place or prem
iges within tho CITY Of New YORK OF
upon the waters adjacent thereto within
the jurisdiction Of said city All persons
participating in any violation Of this pro-
vision, either as proprlelors, owners, ten
ants, managers, superintendent, cap
tains engineers, fremen OF motor vehicle
operators, or otherwise. shall be- s"N"r-
ally liable therefor
During May. June and July Of the
present year 10 notices were Issued IN
the borough OF Manhattan alone. Ire
Nuisance was abated in most Of the cases
without having 10 80 TO court The de-
partment brought two suits against tie
New York. New Haven Hartford dur
ing the present year and one against the
New York Railways Company. Power
houses ion the city are the cause 81 many
complaints. according TO Commissioner
Lcderle. and in one case prosecuted BY
the department an electric company was
fined $500 when convicted OF violating the
smoke provis
From January I, 1906 10 MAY. 1911.
there were 1882 arrests and 2.05s CON
VlctiOns FOR violations OF the anti-smOke
regulations. Some OF these were auto
mobiles.
Commissioner L.cdcrc has himself made
many complaints against smoke violaturs
since the DEPARTMENT offices have been
downtown. He has Fcen the violations
from his windows
II wish | had an Office high enough 20
be able 20 see all the chimneys In the
city, the Commissioner declared.
-