SMOKE ABATEMENT [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—I notice that you have recently been directing attention to the subject of smoke abatement, and quite agree as to its importance. But is it not rather one branch of a very large problem than a complete problem in itself ?
It appears to me that the great question of the conservation of our fuel supply—the provision of light, heat and power— and smoke abatement ought to be considered as one whole. There is much being written and said at present about the supply of electrical power on a large scale. This, again, is another branch of the same big problem.
Is it too much to hope that the wit of our scientific men, and the power of organization of our industrialists, can work out a system whereby fuel is not consumed in each separate factory and workshop to provide power and incidentally to waste much energy in smoke and other forms of atmospheric pollution ? Surely it is possible at one and the 'same place to produce electricity, gas, and the numerous by-products of coal, such as tar, benzol, coke, &c., without converting any of the energy of the fuel into smoke, which is not only wasteful but actively harmful. The power, heat and light thus generated should be capable of easy distribution wherever it is required ; and if a large number of such generating stations were established all over the country, all linked up with each other, much of the existing expense and waste, and all the harmful effects of atmospheric pollution might be eliminated. Before any irrevocable steps are taken in the direction either of the provision of electrical power on a large scale, or of smoke abatement, surely it would be well worth while' to have a thorough investigation into the Possibilities of a . - scheme such as I have hinted at.
As regards possible future legislation we have the very good example of some of our gas legislation before us whereby it is provided that any increase either of dividends on -capital or of wages must be accompanied by a reduction of price
to the consumers. In this way the interests of all concerned can be made to coincide with increased efficiency.—I am,
House of Commons.
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