The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-26
ONLY A LOCAL QUESTION.
Solar system supervision Service Not to
Interfere with New York's skyline.

| Tepoiter TOT lHE SUN yesterday tnat
neither he nor any Of the authorities on
whom rests the responsibility Of keeping
the universe in a state Of stable euuilib-
rum would take any part In the dis
cusslon Of building restrictions in New
York city.
1T will not be necessary for us to
intervene" said Mr.. Action. I'VE are
not a bit worried by the past present
or proposed intrusions on the atnos-
phere which 1t pleases the inhabitants
OF earth to call 'skyscrapers' II ever
the Earthians plan structure of sufii-
cient dimensions to seem potentially
dangerous we shall take the proper
steps, but not before"
Mr.. Action was recently promoted to
his present office from the Superintend-
ency Of Mars, in which he distinguished
himself by his tactful handling of the
projects which engross the attention of
the Martians. 1t will be remembered
that eight years ago, the entire surface
OF Mars having been given over to
canals. the Martians decided to equip
their planet with a system of tunnels
| designed to afford easy means OF com.
| municatlon from surface TO surface, and
between distant points within the in
terror. Mr.. Action was fearful that the
| removal of the spoil might tighten Mars
to a state dangerous to its neighbors.
He was anxious TO avoid positive veto
OF the scheme, however. on account Of
the possible effect on public opinion OF
an arbitrary refusal to sanction this
great work.
For time he was puzzled as to what
course he should adopt, but on consult
ing the legal officers OF the Solar System
Supervision Service he learned Of the
existence OF an ordinance prohibiting
the discharge OF star dust beyond the
atmospheric belt. This reasonable re-
striction was originally adopted to pre-
vent interference with the regular trips
OF comets, but Mr.. Action ingeGiously
adapted 1t to meet the emergency aris-
ing from the energy OF the Martians.
He called a public meeting OF the
Martians, and. after praising their engi-
neering skin. asked them how. in boring
the tunnels, they intended to dispose OF
the spoil. The answer was that It would
be deposited on the surface.
But the surface is already occupied
by canals" said Mr. Action. who knew
that the canal system was the most
treasured possession of the Martians
IF you put the spoil in them. you will
RUIN the canals You must remember
that II will be vast in amount, sufficient
indeed To I'LL up all the canals"
We can raise IL by aeroplane carriers
beyond the gravity line and discharge
IL into space" suggested one OF the lead
ing engineers.
II thought OF that, too" answered the
Planetary Superintendent. land I went
TO the law department to expedite the
granting OF the permit Then learned
that such discharge OF spoil was pro-
hibited absolutely by clause G CT para
graph 81, article IXL., OF the inter-
planetary communications chapter OF
the general regulations. so you must
keep the spoil on the surface OF Mars
That, I fear, means filing the canals"
Rather than sacrifice their canals, the
Martians gave up their proposed tun-
nels. Thus Mr.. Action kept Mars at its
normal load line without having to
exert his authority Extensively. and with
the best OF feeling on both sides. The
Martians, in fact. were so affected by
his solicitude for their canals that on
his departure TO take up his present
duties they presented to him a hand
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