The Washington times., 1919-05-23

had been given by the Commissioners
in violation of these regulations. He
read from the building regulations
to show that no plant of this kind
should be erected within the fire lin
its or within $50 yards of dwelling
houses except by consent of the own
ers Of the homes. This had not been
given. Section q Of the health regu-
lations prohibits any establishment
which generates noisome gases.
Mr.. Hoover said that dirty and
diseased rags, old shoes and rubber,
tin cans containing decayed materi-
ais, hundreds Of other things go to
refuse plant. There they are run
over a conveyor and certain things
salyaged while others are sent on to
the incinerators. Even what remains
after passing through the incinera-
tors makes offensive odors and every
thing about such plant is Unsightly
and unclean.
Mr. Hoover was prepared to prove
that the character OF the plant here
tofore operated in Virginia and de-
stroyed by fire was so offensive that
citizens there had started proceed
ings to have il evicted. He had
photographs to show the conditions
that existed.
Claims Contract Void.
Mr.. Hoover claimed that the con-
tract with the J. J. Whitehead Co.
is null and void, because under the
organic act contracts involving the
money this did should be advertised.
and this had not been done. Neither
TIE contractors nor the Commits
sioners had followed the laws Of
the District in letting the contract.
The contractors have not even sub
mitted plans of the plant and in
cinerator for approval, as provided.
Mr.. Hoover read a decision of the
United States Supreme Court in IA
tutes a nuisance.
william F. Kelly, vice president OF
the company which is starting TO
erect the plant, around which a high
fence has already been built. stated
that the company had visited many
cities 70 obtain an incinerator that
would guarantee against Odors.
Guarantee No OdOr.
In Pittsburgh, he claimed. the ref
use disposal plant is in the heart Of
the residential district. His company
was obtaining a bond from the manu-
faucturers of the incinerator against
smoke and gases. The machine is de-
signed to meet all objections and is
TO cost much money. J. J. Whitehead,
a New York merchant, who got into
the refuse business because he had
been an indemnitor on the bond of J.
C. Faircloth, the first contractor. also
talked.
Isaac Allison, a professor at the
Columbia Institution, told Of a num-
Der OF occupied homes close to the
proposed site, and A. NJ Rogers, OF
Monticello avenue, spoke Of the deep
interest Of the people in the matter.
Both Rogers and Mr.. York declared
that the plant would debase the
northeastern suburban section and
should not be permitted under any
circumstances.
COngressman Reed Protests.
Congressman Stewart F. Reed ~
West Virginia. a member Of the House
District Committee, told the Commits
sioners that he. like millions of others,
was interested in seeing Washington
the most beautiful city.
While he recognized that the Com
missioners had problem before them,
he urged that they do nothing that
will detract from the citys beauty or
depreciate the value Of property be
longing TO humble citizens.
The proposed plant is TO be located
on West Virginia avenue West Nir-
ginia is a great State" he said, "anG
her people appreciate even a small
monument 70 her name in Washing
ton. They would not like to see West
Virginia avenue debased in this man
ner."