Evening star., 1937-04-28
.|CKES SUPPORTS
INDUSTRIAL CURB,
|. HITTING ABATT0|R
Issues Sharp Statement in
Support of Bill to Restrict
"Nuisances."
SAYS PERMIT is STEP
TO BLIGHTING BENNING
Reafirms Position of Public
Works Administration and
Interior Department.

WORKS Administration ana
Interior Department.
Declaring a new abattoir at Ben
ming would constitute "noisome Of
Tense" within sight of the Capitol,
Secretary of the Interior 1ckes today
issued a sharp statement in support
OF newly introduced zoning legisla-
ton designed to restrict the opera
tionS of so-called nuisance industries
| in Washington.
| 1ckes, who was one Of the first to
oppose issuance of a permit to the
| Adolf Gobel Co., which plans renewed
| operation OF an abattoir at Benning,
was stirred into new action by the de-
| velopments overnight. In asserting
| the issue is now up to Congress,
| 1ckes claimed the establishment
OF an abattoir would hopelessly
| blotch years of earnest work" to make
Washington strictly residential city.
Asked to comment on the action
OF the Commissioners yesterday in
issuing the Gobel firm a permit and
the restrictive legislation introduced
by Chairman King Of the Senate Dis
trict COMMITTEE, Ickes said:
"A new slaughter house in Washing
ton is absolutely unnecessary. 1t would
make blighted area out of a COM
munity which could be developed into
one OF the most pleasant districts In
the city. 1t would constitute noisome
offense within sight of the United
States Capitol. 1t would hopelessly
blotch years of earnest work to make
Washington a residential city free Of
industry.
improvements Blocking Seen.
Careful plans have been drawn up
Tor park and public developments IN
the vicinity directly adjacent to the
Benning abandoned packing plant.
Reconstruction of this plant would
| make 1t impossible to go ahead with
the badly-needed improvements COM
| templated for the area.
i am informed that bill has been
introduced in the Senate by Senator
King, which, if passed, will make it
impossible for this nuisance to operate.
The Public Works Administration and
Interior Department have opposed this
slaughter house from tho beginning
and will continue to do 30.
The issue is now up to Congress
and it is my sincere hope that it will
follow its consistent policy of keeping
the National Capital free from such
detrimental activities The question
IS far from being settled.
Il cannot understand how any man
who has any pride in his citizenship
or in the Capital of his country would
think of building within the District
what would amount to public
nuisance"
Kings bill, which would restrict GER
tain types Of industrial development
IN Washington, including slaughter
houses, is before the Senate District
Committee, awaiting the fixing of
date for hearings.
The measure would prohibit any new
establishment of the industries listed
and sets forth detailed restrictions to
govern the granting OF permits for
continued use Of any in operation at
the time the bill passes.
The bill would affect the pending
controversy over the application for
remodeling and renewed operation Of
the Benning abbatoir
The permit for completion of the
abbatoir plans on the Benning site was
issued by Building Inspector John
w. Oehmann.
A motivating influence behind is
suance OF the Gobel permit was the
fact the company several months ago
f1led damage suits against the three
District Commissioners for $4,000
each, alleging they had conspired to
withhold the permit.
The city heads first had rejected
the permit and later set down specific
requirements to be met before the
permit could be issued. Thereafter,
the company submitted revised plans
and the word at the District Building
was that the specific requirements had
been met.
Suit Would Be Dropped.
Reports at the District Building
have been that the damage suits would
be dropped If the permit was finally
issued.
The first section OF the King bill
provides 1t shall be unlawful to
erect. alter or use any building
or premises Cor portion thereof
in the District for any OF eight
purposes, including: Cd Manu-
facture Of acetylene gas, pyroxylin,
celluloid, explosives, fireworks, gun
powder, ammonia, bleaching powder,
chlorine, gelatin, glue, sizing, sulphuric
acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid
and tetraethyl lead precipitate or
liquid; CD distillation OF bones or
wood, 90 refining Of gasolene, naptha
or petroleum., except refining which
Is merely incidental to other permitted
uses; 90 smelling of ores. 60 stock
yards, 90 slaughtering of animals,
rendering of fat or other animal prod
ucts, or manufacture Of fertilizer from
animals; CD incineration for others,
reduction or rendering Of dead ami
mails, garbage, ETC.; co. tanning. cur
ing, cleaning or other processing Of
raw skins or hides.
Section 2 provides that in case any
building, or part thereof, Is being
used on the date Of enactment for
any Of these purposes, the operators
may apply within 80 days for permit
| to continue, The ZoninR Commission.
with approval of health ofncer, may