The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-20
ASKS u. s. TO TAKE
Big GARBAGE PLANT
City Wants Government to
Operate Staten Island Nuis-
ance and End OdOrs.

The night OF the residents of Rich
mond against the continuance of the
existing garbage reduction plant on
Staten Island will be carried to WASH
ington next week.
At an executive session OF the Board
of Estimate yesterday Mayor Hylan ap-
pointed committee, consisting of him
self as chairman; Comptroller Craig.
Street Cleaning Commissioner McStay.
DIR. Royal s. Copeland, Health Commits
sicner. and Corporation Counsel Burr to
, go to Washington to attempt to induce
the Federal authorities to take over the
plant and remodel II so that the objec-
tionable features will be removed
! 1t is the idea OF the Mayor to present
the case in such a way to the authorities
In WASHINGTON that they may be con-
strained to take over the plant as an
essential war industry, install such i'm
provements as may be necessary TO meet
| the local demands. and at the same time
relieve his Honor of an embarrassing
! situation.
The committee which will go to Wash
| ington will see the Secretary of War.
the Shipping Board. the War Industries
Board and probably other officials. The
committee will declare that the Metro
politan By-Products Company. the COM
pany operating the Staten Island plant,
has defaulted in the matter Of its con-
tract with the city, and that the city is
! about 70 cancel the contract.
:, 1t will urge at the same time that the
Government take over the plant and
make such alterations as are necessary
/ to meet the demands Of the staten ISL
| anders Corporation Counsel Burr ad-
vsed the board yesterday that the Fe l.
eral Government was receiving lar:e
! quantities OF glycerne and other by
products from the Staten Island plant !;
that from each ton of garbage from New
| York city streets there was extracted
| enough Elycerne for ten inch shells
and at the same time provide enough
fertilizer to raise ten bushels OF wheat.
Counsel Burr reminded the members
yesterday that within the next few
weeks there would he $4,000 shlpyard
woi ktrs making their homes IN the
vicinity OF the plant. and that " IL was
! allowed to continue operation rnder
ore sent conditions the health Of these
men might he seriously menaced.
| The committee that goes to Washing
| ton will remind the Government officials
| OF request from David Lloyd George.
, the British Premier. that consideration
be given to industries that provide oils
and greases as by-products.
| The Richmond county Grand Jury re-
| turned an indictment Yesterday against
| Frederick Jeffries. superfnten OF the
Staten Island garbage disposal plant for
improper operation. and will be in session
| aFain to-day. 1t was reported that
| other indictments will be returned with
! a possibility that city officials will he
named for failure to enforce the san
| itary law.
Staten Islanders were prepared yes
terday to celebrate the closing of the
plant upon the concerning of the Grand
| Jury The Jurors went TO City Hail
| Wednesday and obtained from Mayor
| Hylan a promise that the Metropolitan
/ Bv-Prod,icts COMPANY either would be
ordered to abate the nuisance now ex-
! listing or the contract would he revoked.
When the Grand Jury met at IL o'clock
no word had come from the Mayor that
the matter had been attended to. and 1t
was learned that the Board OF Estimate
, In secret session had considered the mat
| ter aid reserved decision.
| Indignation Is now at white heat and
! Il was said from the Grand Jury room
that the Jurors are prepared to go out
In boats to-day and prevent the delivery
| of more refuse at the plant.