Arizona republican., 1917-11-24
SETTLING PLANT
 CONTROVERSY |S
 FAR FROM OVER

l.HII IHUlal UELHI Before the city commission decides whether or not it will pass an ordi- nance designed to prevent the Pa Cific Gas and Electric company from installing lampblack settling wells on property adjoining the Grant school, a thorough investigation will be made This decision was reached after a lively discussion at a special session yesterday morning, followed by a visit of the members of the commission to the proposed site of the settling wells
 Representing the property owners of the vicinity who object to the in stallation of the plant on the grounds that it will become a public nuisance, was Attorney Edward B. Goodwin, who contenedd that property values would be reduced because of the un- healthful conditions which would re- suit from the collection of stagnant water, and that the lives of residents in the section would be jeopardized.
 City Attorney Sloan doubted whether or not the plant could be considered a public nuisance, and whether it were within the citys power to regulate the use of private property by the gas and electric com pany unless the nuisance was clearly defined.
 That present wartime increases in the cost of materials and subse quently in operating costs predicted the decision of the company to in augurate more modern and efficient methods in the handling of the lampblack problem, was the eXplana- ton offered by General Manager H. L. Aller of the Pacific Gas &l Flee tric company.
 MT. Aller indicated to the SDmmis- sion that the plan embodies the pip ing of the by-product in a solution of water from the plant on South First avenue to the proposed sink ing wells The mixture is then emptied into pits of seven feet depth, allowing the lampblack to precipitate into large cakes which are removed in this formation. The water seeps through the bottom of the pits by reason of the walled sides.
 lt was this seepage process to which certain objections were made, on the ground that polls of stagnant water would collect. breeding filth and disease.
 Prevailed upon to give his views, Superintendent of Schools J. D. IOper declared that his primary ob- lection was that the plant would be unsightly, but that he was also con- Ninced that some time the combined curiosity of the little children who attend the school and the depth of the water filled tanks would claim a life.
 MT. A11er further stated that no odors arise from the plant and that the sooty substance could not be blown about by the wind by virtue of its continued dampened condition. He said the company does not con- template the erection of gas gen. orators on the property and that no fear of this should influence a de- cision on the merits of the settling tanks proposition.
 City attorney Sloan announced himself 10 be of the opinion that if there were any immediate prospect of the company erecting a plant which would in itself become a nuisance, that would warrant objec- tions by the city or court
 After the investigation of the 1oca- ton where it is planned to install the tanks and a conference with MT Aller relative to the plans and speci- cations for the wells, the commits sioners decided to again undertake to arrive at decision as to the disposition of the matter at the next regular meeting of the commission Wednesday, November 2S.
 To Enforce New Law
 Local theaters must comply with the new ordinance regulating the arrangement of the buildings they occupy not later than January l, 1918. according to a decision reached by the city commission at the ad- journed session of yesterday.
 The subject was introduced by Herbert J. Mann. city inspector of buildings. who asked whether the time expires 90 days from the date the extension was granted or whether the theaters were to be allowed the time allowed by him, plus the 90 days.
 Mayor Corpstein said that he had been asked whether the theaters could not have five months. but stated that it was his understanding that they were to have 90 days from the date of the adoption of the reso- lution presented by Mr. Alexander Commissioners Jones and Woods also declared this to be their inter- pretation of the ordinance.
 The action was taken after MT. Manns statement that he thought all of the theaters should be forced to comply with the regulations be- ginning at the same time and that no special dispensations should be made,