Evening star., 1938-02-13
Wasl'ington's Smoke Problem
No'c Complicated by 'Fly-Ash'
H. K. Kugel, Official Snifer and Boiler
Inspector, Hard at Work on Long
Range Problem of Control.

WHICH was created OCTOBER 10, 1880.
Washington had the experience Of
most cities. A smoke problem doesn't
appear over night. It progresses from
year to year. Mr.. Kugel said, until
suddenly the population wakes up and
begins to cry out about a smoke
nuisance.
Long Time Problem.
Some people seem to think it can
be done away with over night, too"
he said. "They fail to realize that the
job Of smoke regulation has to be
carried out month after month and
that 1t takes some time to eliminate
smoke. It's q long-time- problem like
milk and health and requires gradual
Improvement Of standards"
Washington regulations, unlike those
OF other cities, do not provide a Pc
rlod of grace Any smoke issuing
from stack. at any time of day or
night constitutes a violation. There
is no 15-minute period of grace for
firing furnaces.
I'VE are making progress, however,
in controlling smoke" Mr.. Kugel said.
The problem has two sides. First,
the inspection of smoke from apart
ments, hotels and buildings. Second.
the control of new furnace and boiler
equipment going into buildings. That
is the most important part of the
work"
Under the Districts regulations, it
is simple matter to go to court and
get conviction. A fine Of $40 or IS
is slapped upon the owner, Mr.. Kugel
said, and the violation usually con-
tinues the next day and the day after.
Seldom Resorts to Courts.
1t is seldom that he resorts to the
courts. The most effective method is
to secure the cooperation of the
owner or proprietor. That shows far
better results than court fines," he
said.
Most companies are only too anxious
to comply with requirements for new
equipment when it is called to their
attention. Mr.. Kuga cited the exist
ing case of an Office building which Is
putting $4,000 worth of new boilers
and furnace control at his suggestion
only when a person refuses to CO.
operate do We 60 to court" he said
Its seldom necessary" Fines for
some violations may run as high as
$500 but they never do.
From November, 1896, to Decem-
Der, 1887, Mr.. Kugels Office issued per-
mits for 1900 pieces of new equipment,
large and small. OF that number. 604
of the pieces replaced had been in
existing buildings. A large percentage
of replacements was due to efforts Of
inspectors to have better equipment
installed that could operate without
smoke with reasonable care.
Reasons for Delays.
All applications and drawings for
new equipment must be filed before
permit is issued and pass a rigid
inspection after installation Thirty
per cent of the time Of inspectors is
devoted to that type of inspection.
There are simple reasons why there
are delays in smoke control in GER
tain cases. Boilers can't be installed
in a large Office building during Sc
we're winter. so you get blamed for a
lot of things you can't do," Mr.. Kugel
laughed.
Sixty per cent Of the violations. he
estimated, are caused by hand-fired
boilers. TITS up to us to get rid Of
hand firing as rapidly as possible" he
suggested.
The records speak Of progress IN
obtaining public cooperation. During
the year changes from soft to anthra-
cite coal were made in l55 boiler