The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-11-09
We Can No Longer Delay
Air Pollution Control Legislation Needed


Gil the 1859 Legislative Assembly Opponents
contended that pollution of Montanas air. with the
cepon of few isolated instances, would be problem
in the foreseeable future. The bill Glib 84) died.
However, problem that upon us then is with us
today with growing intensity.
months black impure air has become
increasingly irritable to citizens of at least Montana
cities addition to those with oil refneres opera
TONS sugar beet refining plants etc.
the u S. Public Health Service after air sampling
in 48 American cities reported that Libby Mssoua had
the greatest concentration of air polutants any
Montana. rtt
Libby situated a mountain valley is particularly during
the winter months subjected to almost
hanging smog created by mixture of fog
from that areas major industry, lumber.
Missoula has a similar situation complicated by pulpmi
operation several miles west from whence the prevail
ing winds Msoua CyCounty Health Officer Lamport
has been carrying vigorous crusade against the air pou
ton resulting from pulp and lumber mill operations
steps being taken to reduce the of the vesmng
rrtants which have plagued Msouans for several years.
Butte has also been putting up albeit quietly with an
air pollution problem resulting from insuffcenty
troled exhaust problem phosphate plant This
has been going half years. there is
City
last Saturday, west side gravehot oil mix plant
pail not unlike forest fire smoke much of the Capital City
for couple of weeks This nuisance situated in line with
prevailing Winds forced at least school to keep all windows
tightly closed and the teachers to keep children during
periods Sufferers of asthma and other nasang ailments
suffered One parents withdrew children
from school Heenas able and efficient City County Health
complaint
detail the problem and the of she had
Judge Lobe Immediately restrained the operation
time expressed sharp criticism of both the City
and the contractor for having inflicted the apoung nu
the people of the Helena
While redress be obtained in the courts as
the in Helena such afer-theact meeting
pollution problem satisfactory method For the pro-
lection of both the Montana ciizenry and jobprovdng
dusties there should definitely be laid
rules for preventing minimizing the possibilities of air pou
ton occurring. .efsH as-s 4
HB "a of the forth as matter
of state policy that M essential to provide air pollution
troll and feasible to reduce air contamnans order
safeguard e health property and the general
and to make possible the comfortable enjoyment
property - ~
The BILL closely patterned after the highly Cali
fornia air pollution control law set maximum degrees of air
accordance with standards of the u S.
of Mines and the Rngemann Chart To bring about the
proposed control HB "a provided for the establishment of
Air Pollution Control Council
tive head of the State Board of HEALTH attorney veter
naran medical doctor and chemical mechanical engi
Administrative agent of the act would have the
Board of Health The bill would have provided eff
ectve control work by the Council yet at the time have
he Council discretionary authority to gradually reduce air
of the growing air pollution here Mon
suggest that the 1868 Legislature should dust off HB "a
and give without further delay the
orable consideration denied in 1959--HLB
The Man Who DOES NOT Read I'LL