The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-11

To be passed until Friday, City Commits
sioner James Weatherly will present his
amended smoke ordinance to the city
commission at its regular Tuesday meet
ing today. Commissioner A. o. Lane
stated yesterday that he would request
that the ordinance be passed over until
Friday to give him more time to study
some important documents on smoke
abatement in other cities which are ex-
pected to arrive today through the mails.
AS President C. Exum of the city COM
mission just returned yesterday from a
two weeks trip in Florida, being absent
from the city during the active develop
ment of opposition to the smoke ordi-
nance in the last two weeks, it is be-
lieyed that he will favor delay until Fri
day also, and the ordinance will again
be tabled. Commissioner Weatherly.
father of the smoke ordinance, stated yes
terday that he was in no hurry and was
perfectly willing to let the ordinance rest
without action for some time yet.
Exum Opposed to Ordinance
President Exum had no hesitancy yes
terday in stating that he was unalterably
opposed to any smoke ordinance in Br-
mingham now unless it was greatly modi-
fed in its terms from the original ordi-
nance now in force. He stated that since
he was not cognizant of the amended or
dinance as it now exists awaiting adop-
tion, he could not state his position on it,.
Commissioner Lane has been investigat-
ing the matter of smoke abatement in
other cities for the past two weeks, and in
spite of statements to the contrary, says
he has not made up his mind as to how he
will vote on the ordinance. He has stat
ed, however. that he can be depend
ed upon to do nothing which he believes
will be injurious in any way to the man
ufacturing or industrial interests of the
city
Commissioner Weatherly is the father of
the smoke ordinance, both the original
now in force and the amended ordinance
now awaiting adoption, and of course is
favorable. The amended ordinance as 1t
row exists is greatly modified from the
original ordinance, and if the amended
ordinance is not adopted it is being taken
for granted that the original now in force
will be repealed. The general opinion pre-
walls that by the end of this week Bir-
will either have one of the most
modified and emollient smoke ordinances
in existence or 1t will not have any
ar all.
Williams Gives Views
John r. Williams, well known engi-
neer for a stolser manufacturing COM
pany, after several days in preparation.
yesterday gave out the following state
ment on smoke abatement as it applies
to Birmingham:
"The abatement of smoke is not a
new proposition IT was a subject for
agitation in England as early as
Queen Elizabeth's reign, and has been
going on ever since. Present indica-
tions are that it is likely to continue,
due to the esthetic health and eco
nomic benefits accruing from a max
imum abatement. The relative values
of these vary, according TO the OBJ
servers point of view. The first is de-
sirable and worthy of consideration,
but is probably not of prime import
ance in this city at this time. Several
prominent physicians here have en-
tered into this discussion from the hy-
gienic point of view; some stating
that some constitutes a serious menace
to health; others stating that, while it
is not prescribed for human ailments.
the injurious effects of smoke are in
as compared with the germ
laden filth and dust of the streets The
majority, doubtless, are agreed on this
latter point. The economic benefits as
to the public and to property
Of all kinds, has been estimated at
enormous figures and these may be