Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

~ and rally to fight any physica
Il disease or epidemic, seldom de
a they realize that the accustomed
clash of machinery, the clattel
OF riveting and construction machinery
and the roar of traffic are rapidly un-
dermining them physically as well as
mentally. The New Yorker. at least
has come to view the deafening, nerve
wracking noise of the downtown area
as no less natural than the air he
breathes and the water he drinks.
Every day in the metropolitan news
papers there are items which record
unaccountable attempts at suicide, and
physicians and santtariums are facing
an increasing food of patients afflicted
with nervous disorders, diseases that
follow in the wake of twentieth CEN
fury urban development. After a days
work in the heart of a large American
city one usually returns home laden
with fatigue and at night insomnia
hangs over tired millions.
Health Organizations Act.
Though the public seems unaware
Of the danger which threatens present
and future generations, neurologists,
scientists, physicians and engineers
have for years been skirmishing with
the noise menace in laboratories, elm
les and sanitariums. And health or
CARNATIONS of some of the large cities
are preparing to fight the new and
ir1sidious plague which is undermining
the health of city workers. who are
themselves too busy to realize the de-
structive force of man-made noise.
In New York the oise-abatement
commission has submitted its first re-
port to Health Commissioner Shirley
w Wynne. showing that the ravages
to eardrums and nerves have been some
what diminished, but that injury is still
prevalent.
The report presents the findings of
physicians, showing how the pulse and
muscles are damaged by noise, result
ing in insomnia, metaboliSm and i'm
paired hearing. 1t is shown that the
vibration of metropolitan noises is
tearing the human structure to pieces
in much the same manner as vibla-
ton of heavy traffic undermines the
stones of large buildings and brings
unbearable strain to the steel struc-
lures of skyscrapers.
Industries Seek Remedies.
Though the report has aroused New
York health and civic leaders and
spurred other large cities to adopt
noise abatement campaigns, it is felt
that successful suppression of the
nerve-shattering plague lies at its
entists and engineers have been en-
listed to apply their knowledge and
skill In reducing machinery and sounds
TO the minimum.
An instance of a large industry striv-
ing to eliminate the noise menace by
experimentation with its products is
found in the development of structural
welding in the laboratories at East
Pittsburgh Pa With the company OF
Gnae Ioaafed IN the center its ShODS
a process was sought in erecting new
buildings that would eliminate SOUNDS
ANNOYING to the hundreds of scientists
and Office workers in the vicinity.
Since the first trials many new
buildings have been constructed within
a few feet of the engineering headquar-
tiers, with the occupants hardly aware
that structural steel was being raised
and put into place. There the worlds
largest structural steel building, an IL
story structure a block long to house
the central laboratories, has been erect
ed. The voices of workmsn and the oc-
casional reverberation Of a hammer
have been the only noticeable noises.
Boston Uses New Method.
The gaunt steel framework arose as If
by some magic means; few men wear
ing martian-liks helmets and the glow
of welding torches being the only re-
minder that man was building.
Throughout other plants the silent
building process is being used. Boston
has been won over to the benefits of
noiseless steel erection and large Of
flee building is being erected in the
downtown district in the silent way.
In tracing the campaign against
trafic noises, industrial science has in
troduced numerous noise elimination
appliances in vehicles. Many have been
successful commercially. The roar of
city traffic has been diminished in re-
cent years despite the tremendous in
crease of vehicles. Traction engineers
and car body builders have eliminated
many a groan and clank which had
grated on the ears Of both rider and
pedestrian.