Evening journal., 1921-05-19
DOUBT acid IS
KILLING CROPS
Pyrites Co. Will Pay Dam
age, However, If Found
Responsible
OFFICIALS INSPECT
RURAL LANDS

residents of the vicinity, a delega
tion OF Delaware University profess
sors and officials OF Wilmington to-
day inspected the farm lands near
the plant Of the Pyrites Company,
Ltd, in South Wilmington, which it
is averred has been damaged by acid
flakes and fumes.
The delegation was composed Of !
Professor G.. A. McCue. dean. and O.
Professors Manns and Lempkey, OF I
the Department of Agriculture OF the /
| University; Harry l.. Maier. OF the ,
| Wilmington Street and Sewer De- /
partment, and City Forester Potter. /
Paul Tibbitt. George Burris and Ja-
cob Zimmerman. residents of the |
neighborhood, accompanied t h e
party.
The finding OF the inspecting
delegation will be submitted to a
meeting of the residents by the Uni
versty professors and to City Coun-
ell by the city officials. The party
went over a strip of land approx
mately two and half miles in width
and five miles in length. Of which
grain and vegetable crops have
shown signs of damage from some
cause.
An official of the Pyrites Company
today said that efforts had been
made by the company to arrange a
conference with the committee rep
resenting the residents of Rose Hill,
Hamilton Park and other complain
ing sections in the rural county to
learn from them whether or not any
damage really had been caused by
smoke or fumes from the Pyrites
plant. but thus far no such confer
ence had been arranged. The COM
pany several times had notified the
residents to send their committee TO
confer. but for some reason this con-
ference has not yet taken place.
The official OF the company fur
ther stated that if It were shown
that any damage had been done to
crops or plants in that section by
the operation Of the Pyrites plant.
the company would stand ready to
make a fair adjustment of such
claim.
lie went on to say that the com
pany has erected a stack 800 feet
high to carry off any smoke or
fumes. and that with such stack
I, ID is believed that the smoke passes
u away in the air without much pos
> sibility Of causing damage. Further
u more. a system for the precipitation
lof smoke is now being installed these
improvements to cost about $4,000.
The Pyrites Company pays in
wages about $500 900 a year to resi-
dents Of Wilmington and is keeping
Of
y and has for the past six months in
order that its men may not lose their
=, employment As a matter Of fact il
was pointed out. the company has
!, not shipped a carload of manufac-
tured material from its plant in the
past six months.
The Pyrites Company is perfect
ly willing TO meet the parties who
~ claim injury. or a committee repre-
senting them. in the most friendly
u spirit and If any damage can be
shown to have been caused by the
company IL will make good actual
y losses sustained"
Il city Council last night was called
e : on by a delegation OF residents from
- suburban territory in question.
That the alleged damage was not
confined to rural New Castle county
was the contention OF the delega
ton. several instances of such al
n legged damage within the city limits
U being cited.
As a result Of the hearing Coun-
-, ell directed tae clerk to communi-
II cate with the Street and Sewer De
v partment and the Board OF Health
ar requesting these departments tC
e have representatives go with Official.
es OF the state Department of Agricul
ture. who made the inspections to.
n day.
sh Councilman Faulkner who repre-
ss sents the South Wilmington area
~ stated that the shade trees in Edei
Park had been damaged. He sal,
ch numerous residents OF his ward ha,
he complained of the withering Of veg
D. citation on their properties. He ais
his cited instances Of grass turning red
II Paul Tibbett was the first to speal
pl- for the delegation. Mr.. Tibbitt is
resident OF Rose Hill "Everythin
is being ruined as a result OF thi
acid he said THE destruction
not confined to the vicinity of tn
I plant but extends as far as Farm
~ hurst, four miles from the plant.
He added that chickens and horse
had died as the result OF eating gras
I'm that had been affected
Mr.. Cook, whose home is In Farm
ith hurst, stated that ne had lost a Gro
ne OF half an acre OF sugar corn. whic
on he blamed on the acid fumes. n
produced some OF the young cor
yer which had withered In additio
III to the corn, I have lost all my spir
a ach. and twelve rows Of peas, eac
yes 25O feet long" ne said.
Mr.. Cook also stated that the aci
Nv fumes had affected the health
On residents in tbs area affected.
I'm The delegation brought specimen
ns OF withered vines. leaves and fru
m and vegetables with them for Coui
ne ell to examine. Councilman Mu
vena urged that the city protect II
lives and property Of the residen
affected.
er City solicitor John ]. Huxley, WI
Id was present. was asked what actic
Of ne would suggest He informed u
ct delegation that it should appeal
a the courts for an injunction restrain
lie ing the plant from operating.
Mr.. Tibbitt said that an analys
OF the acid was being made
chemists and that this would
ar- ready to submit to the State Board
de Agriculture today.