978 
‘of this subject reveal new properties continu- 
ally. There are differences in the physical 
‘state as well as in the amounts of tar, carbon, 
ash, ete., in smoke made from different kinds 
of coal under different conditions of tempera- 
ture, etc. By means of fans and motors, the 
smoke can be conducted to various parts of 
the building, where it can be used for experi- 
mental purposes in any manner desired. It is 
here that the physical and chemical studies 
are being conducted with the object of learn- 
ing more definitely just what the various prop- 
erties of soft coal smoke are, and endeavoring 
to ascertain new properties which will be of 
aid in the abolition of the smoke itself. 
It is a well-known fact that it is possible to 
prevent smoke with the accompanying econ- 
omy of fuel and that there are many forms of 
furnaces constructed which can be operated 
with ideal results. The obtaining of men 
sufficiently intelligent for their proper opera- 
tion is, however, a problem difficult of solution, 
for the wages are small and employment far 
from pleasant. One of the chief aims of our 
experimental work is, then, to find a means of 
making the man in the boiler room perform 
his duty in the best possible manner. A 
mechanism is being devised, which is simple, 
practical and “ fool-proof,” that will automat- 
ically warn the stoker in the boiler room that 
the smoke his fire is making is in excess of 
the law. 
Inquiry is being instituted, in the most 
accurate manner possible, into the true in- 
‘erease in the cost of living due to the damage 
done by smoke to the property of the residents 
of this smoky district. Special stress will be 
laid upon this portion of the investigation 
because of the fact that while those who have 
made Pittsburgh smoky may be large losers 
by the neglect, they are in all probability not 
the greatest. Among the list of sufferers upon 
which the burden falls, we may include dwell- 
ings, hotels, hospitals, picture galleries, mu- 
seums, office buildings, banks, libraries and 
stores, both wholesale and retail. 
The relation of smoke to the health of the 
residents of a smoky district is one worthy of 
eareful consideration, and one which we hope 
SCIENCE 
[N.S. Vou. XXXV. No. 913 
to be able to put on a more scientific basis 
than the present. 
It is a well-known fact that the lungs of a 
person dwelling in a smoky atmosphere be- 
come coated with soot particles. Does this 
make him more susceptible to consumption? 
The question has been answered both nega- 
tively and positively by different authorities. 
From a thorough examination it would appear 
that Pittsburgh did not have as much con- 
sumption as other cities similarly located, 
where there is much less smoke. Within the 
corporate limits of the city there is more con- 
sumption in the better residence portions, 
where there is less smoke and dirt than in the 
more congested district where smoke abounds. 
On the other hand, catarrh, pneumonia and 
other so-called “bad air” diseases are very 
prevalent, due to the irritation caused by the 
smoke particles. Furthermore, it has been 
said by some that because of the mucus swal- 
lowed in these diseases, stomach trouble is 
thus indirectly caused by smoke. The eyes 
are not immune, either. Eye specialists say 
that the busiest time is after a heavy fog ac- 
companied by smoke. 
From the side of esthetics and the city 
beautiful, we must take up the effect of coal 
smoke on buildings and on plants. The bot- 
anical side of the question is one of special 
scientific interest, for while the relation of 
plants to smelter fumes, etc., has received con- 
siderable attention, little if anything seems to 
have been accomplished or even attempted 
from the standpoint of the carbon with the 
accompanying tar-containing phenol and other 
compounds of a similar nature. It may be of 
interest to state in this connection that I have 
found as high as 44 per cent. tar in samples of 
soot examined. Knowing this, it can well be 
understood that carbon smoke might have a 
very injurious effect on vegetation, more espe- 
cially in spring, when the new leaves are ap- 
pearing and things being tender are much 
more readily affected by the toxic action of the 
soot and accompanying substances. 
The meteorological aspect of the smoke 
problem is being considered. This part of the 
investigation will, for the greater part, consist 
