Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-11-27
Public Opinion
Fumes i'm Metuchen

EDI1OlA IN EMMY ~ Il w %
An article appeared in your news
paper under date of November goth,
giving, we feel, a wrong impression
regarding the manufacturing opera
tions of this company, and we would
appreciate your kindness in assist
ing us to correct this impression.
The article referred to, after stat
ing that an application for a perma-
nent injunction against the further
operation of this company at its
plant on Durham avenue, Metuchen,
was to be made to the court of
chancery by the local Board of
Health, stated that the Board of
Health had been conducting for some
months an investigation to learn the
source of certain obnoxious chem
ical odors which frequently had
been complained of to them and
that this search lead to our plant.
The statement further sets forth that
efforts were made to control the
though the system failed to func-
ton.
A further statement is made that
the same company" had been
driven from Woodbridge. N. j., by
the plant had been declared a nuis-
ance in that municipality.
In the first place it should be
thoroughly understood that this
company has no connection what
ever, and never had, with the So
called Woodbridge company. No
one who was connected with the
Woodbridge company in any finan-
cial or managerial capacity is con-
nected with this company. We are,
however, carrying on similar manu-
featuring operations which are pro-
ductive of similar gases.
The writer became connected with
this company in May, 1928, and dur
ing that month received a letter
from Mr.. Hull, secretary of the
Board of Health, stating that COM
plants had been received regarding
fumes. We answered Mr.. Hull that
we were very sorry for the COM
plants indicated. that there was per-
haps some justification for them, and
stated that we would Immediately do
all possible to eliminate the fumes,
Our chemists commenced at once de-
vising an apparatus to consume
these fumes and the necessary ma
terial 20 set up the apparatus was
| ordered. Some time was required to
receive and assemble the apparatus
at our plant, but during large
part of the summer our produc-
| ton was at a minimum, and for a
! time was not carried on at all. Dur
| ing September we informed the
Board of Health that our apparatus
| was in operation and working salts
| factorily. and invited them to visi
our plant TO make an inspection
| Since that time we have founC
some Objectionable odors arise from
| what might be called a secondary
| equipment, and the absorption of nj
| fumes which may arise from thi'
/ has now also been accomplished.
Our fumes are now being thor'
oughly absorbed, which can b,
| demonstrated to anyone who care
to visit our plant, and we SHOULD
be glad to make this demonstration
to anyone interested.
We feel it was perhaps a littl,
unneighborly of the council to au
thorize application for an injunc
ton without an investigation i'm
mediately prior to taking such ac
| ton, as no cause for complain
existed at the time of their action
| However, we have no doubt tha
they felt they were acting in tn
interest of their towns-people ant
we have no criticism 10 make o
their action.
1t might be said in closing tina
we are informed that about one
millionth part of the gas gener
ated in our manufacturing can b
detected in the air by the nose, an
that to the best of our knowledg
and belief no volume of fumes whicl
ever emanated from this plant ha
been sufficient to injure the healtl
of anyone who may have inhaled Il
The gas omitted by the automobile
on our streets is a much create
menace than any fumes arising fron
our manufacturing. The odor. how
ever, is not pleasant.
Yours very truly,
SEPoY COLOR AND
CHEMICAL COMPANY
4 l.. w. lSellow,
Sccretar,