The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-04

ufacturing enterprises Lessening of cost
of production is now the watch word of
the modern manufacturer. 1t is poor busi-
ness to lose heat units in the atmosphere.
We recognize the difference between
tue problem of the small manufacturer
and the large concern. The loss of heat
units would not compensate the smaller
consumer of coal for the installation Of
the expensive methods of stoking Tha
money he spends to prevent smoke Is a
straightout contribution to the welfare
Of the community, and should be appre-
ciated as such Surely the cost of INSTALL
ing such an apparatus is somewhere
around S150-it cannot be considered very
great hardship on any manufacturer.
Some space has been given in the
papers to the opinions of different prom
inent physicians the question of the
Don-poisonous qualities of carbon We
can hardly suppose that any person of
aoult age and even an elementary KNOW
edge OF chemistry would be likely to class
carbon among the poisonous substances.
Even women know enough chemistry
FOR this discrimination, but we also know
we can swallow with immunity substances
that are dangerous to breathe. Stomachs
and lungs require different treatment.
The protection which nature has given
the lungs by the construction of the nasal
Passages is completely effective only I'M
der normal conditions. Unless physiolog-
lists are awful liars, the lungs of people
ey posed to constant dust smoke and SCOT,
become impresnated with these foreign
substances, and are absolutely changed
in color and texture. -
Smoke does not consist entirely OF car
hon, even IL carbon is a rejuvenator OF
lung tissue. There are various gases which
are constituent parts of 1t, about which
The opinion of distinguished physicians do
not seem to have been asked.
1t does not really affect the question OF
the harmfulness of an atmosphere sur
charged with smoke that carbon is not
poisonous. creosote disinfectant and
fine preservativs for wood blocks and
lamp black valuable in the arts.
Nobody in all the discussion has
thought it worth while to consult the
kousewife-no reporter has interviewed
any of us-and yet from the expression
heard at the local meeting of the
Civil league such an interview might
contain ''hot stuff and be therefore
desirable.
With becoming modesty we wish to
state that we are the most important
PEOPLE in Birmingham. The declaration
of Independence says that the inalienable
rights of man are '1ife, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness We can help or
hinder you mlBntly III tHe last VI .io
trio In fact we ladle out to you, be
you prince or pauper, your daily comfort
and happiness or the reverse. We are
a vast Improvement on ourselves when
we are in a good humor 1t might pay
YOU to consult us occasionally and some
times grant our wishes without too much
talk.
The first OF our responsibilities Is the
keeping of the house clean. We cannot
evade it: cleanliness is not only next
to Godliness," but there isn't much God
liness without it, This. our first duty, is
made so hard for us that we are almost
ready to give up in despair. we wear
out our clothes. our carpets, our cur
tains. our patience and ourselves trying
to keep clean. A great proportion OF
us must give up things only slightly less
necessary than cleanliness, culture,
travel. comforts of various kinds, because
the mere keeping half way clean Is 50
expensive.
Cleanliness pursued as we must pursue
Il is a menace to nerves and purse
Cleanliness ignored as we are tempted
to ignore It is a menace to moral char
acter.
We want a smoke ordinance. We want
il enforced with as little hardship on the
manufacturer as possible but he also
may live here If he has no respect for
his lungs. we will try to show him there
is better way. MRS. Z. T. OhR.
President Women's Civic League OF Bir-
mingham.
Birmingham, February 8, 1918.