Imperial Valley press., 1914-01-02
IMPERIAL VALLEY PRESS Ell CENTRo FRIDAY JANUARY

is claimed that if system of taxation
existed for factory bells and whistles
these nuisances would be speedily less
ened. The many large factories of the
country which no longer use the fac
tory whistle proved thai it is useless
nuisance. The fact that more than
100000 men, employed by the rail-
road companies of the country, are
able to get to work on time by watch
ing the clock shows how needless
shrill blast or loud changing bell is
to call the workers to their tasks.
Edwin A., Abbott, who has been lead
ing the anti-noise crusade in Chatta-
nooga, claims that the same attention
which is tending to reduce the smoke
nuisance throughout the country could
be applied to the noise nuisance with
equally happy results. He empha-
sizes the effect of factory noises in
lowering the value of property.
The suppression of the noise Of
hucksters and street criers would
seem an easier matter than quoting
the factory whistles, yet in many
towns street hawking is still permit
ted. In southern town few months
ago several ministers gathered one
morning to discuss some plans for CO.
operation in their work. The weather
was warm, but the hucksters were
plying their trade with vigorous lungs
outside, so that the windows had to
be closed to enable the ministers to
hear each other. One of them count
ed no less than 253 cries and yells
upon the street during their session
of less than two hours. The follow
ing Sunday each minister advocated
an anti-noise crusade from his pulpit.
In cities where street crying is for
hidden the hucksters do not suffer
from loss of trade because they are
compelled to carry it on quietly, while
the peace of the community is mate
rally improved.
A recent noise lessening innovation
adopted in Philadelphia is the street
semaphore signs. These are used at
busy corners instead of the sharp
whistle of the traffic policeman which
is familiar sound in most cities. By
a single turn of his arm the officer
can throw up sign reading "Closed"
which can be read at distance of
200 feet.
The decision between music and
noise is going to give the noise sup
preston advocates much trouble.
What is music to some people may be
torturing noise to their neighbors. A
family having four children, each
learning to play different instru-
ment, bought a house in the residence
section of an eastern city. The prac-
tice began at o'clock in the morning
and continued until late at night. Sew
eral neighbors sold their homes and
moved away and the value of the sur
rounding property was lowered. Yet
the musicians were within their rights
in the eyes Of the law, according to
the decision of a number of legal au-
thorities consulted by the neighbors.
The prevalence of Photographic mu-
sic is becoming another nuisance to be
restricted.
1t is especially nerve racking in an
apartment where one may have an in
strument rendering classic opera
above, ragtime below, with selections
from Harry Lauder and Shumann-
Heink upon either side, and be pow
erless to check either.
The owners of each instrument may
be deriving pleasure at the expense
of torture to the neighbors.
A number of apartment houses are
now placing restrictions upon phono-
graphs as upon dogs and children, but
this is hardship to many music
lovers.
This difficulty might be overcome
by the erection of sound proof build
ings, if such could be built with prop
er ventilation. Modern builders are
giving more study each year to sound
resistant materials and the thin par
titions which will transmit whisper
are growing in disfavor. Sound re-
sistance at present materially in
creases the cost of building.