09-25-50 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING Mr. Walter C. Erler East Indiana Ave. South Bend, Indiana Dear Mr. Erler: SEPTEMBER 25TH. 1950 June 20, 1949 664 On the occasion of my visit to South Bend the other evening I promised I would send you a tentative program which you might use. It would be somewhat along this line: 1. Establish a Civic Committee on which are represented all walks of life. This would encompass organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, University, College, Real Estate, building owners and managers, women civic groups, retail merchants, civic organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions, League of Women Voters, Parent - Teachers Association, Engineering Society, Planning Commission, hotel associations, N.A.P.E., church federations, rail- roads, etc. Note: This would give anyone desiring membership a voice in the civic program. 2. Set up a sub - committee of technical experts in heavy industry who known their specific problems to better advantage than would people on the above civic committee. 3. After the initial meeting of the above #1 committee have them go forth to the various organizations to enlist aid and assistance in your smoke program. 4. Have the committee call in representatives of industry, railroads, etc. to determine how much improvement can be secured on the basis of cooperation. 5. Naturally all of the above items should receive publicity through the medium of the newspapers and radio. 6. Call in people who are responsible for the operation of fuel burning plants and equipment such as found in schools, public buildings, city hospitals, etc. Explain the program to them and secure their cooperation. Note: One cannot over- emphasize the importance of placing the city's own house in order as an initial effort. 7. Determine definitely by means of a survey whether you have a problem, how serious it is and how dirty South Bend might be. With these facts before the civic committee they are in a position to determine just how much improvement they desire and is necessary together with the type of legislation which should be provided. 8. Continued education is necessary. We could conduct educational courses including illustrated lectures for various types of plant operators, including lectures before civic and engineering organizations. 9. We have available a series of articles on smoke abatement and combustion that is available for your newspapers. You may want to.use this series.- 10. The program should be kept as free from politics as much as possible. Remember this is an engineering job. Your city can be as clean as you,want it. However, the civic committee must determine whether there is real or , imaginary interest in air pollution and whether the city will support the plan it has outlined. I fee]6ertain that if all procedures outlined above have been employed the city will support any intelligent plan adopted. However, it does take a budget, a staff and continuous support to put this program over. After you have had an opportunity to get the above recommendations lined up and if and when you require assistance let us know. It was indeed a pleasure to meet you and the other Councilmen and I believe the method of approach you are employing i-tigurs well for the program. Very truly yours, (Signed) H. B. Lammers, Chairman NEW BUSINESS Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the Board of Public Works take up the matter with the New York Central regarding smoke from three switch engines No. 7352, 7426 and 9596, which are constantly throwing out heavy black smoke. These engines are in the vicinity of Ford and Koscuisko Street crossing. Councilman Niezgodski seconded the motion. Motion carried. There being no further business, Councilman Tellson made a motion to adjourn, which motion was seconded by Councilman Korpal. Motion carried, and Council adjourned at 9:00 P.M. ATTEST: -0- f�L LERK