Chapter 79. For the prevention of smoke in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes
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CHAP. 79.— An Act For the prevention of smoke in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. February 2, 1899. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * District of Columbia.Prevention of smoke. That on and after six months from the passage of this Act the emission of dense or thick black or gray smoke or cinders from any smokestack or chimney used in connection with any stationary engine, steam boiler, or furnace of any description within the District of Columbia shall be deemed, and is *Proviso.*Private residences excepted from provision.hereby declared, to be a public nuisance: *Provided,* That nothing in this Act shall be construed as applied to chimneys of buildings used exclusively for private residences.
Sec. 2. Responsibility of owner of building. That the owner, agent, lessee, or occupant of any building of any description, from the smokestack or chimney of which there shall issue or be emitted thick or dense black or gray smoke or cinders within the District of Columbia on or after the day above named shall be deemed and held guilty of creating a public nuisance and of violating the provisions of this Act. Sec. 3. Penalty. That any person or persons violating the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction thereof before the police court of the District of Columbia, be punished by a line of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for each and every offense; and each and every day wherein the provisions of this Act shall be violated shall constitute a separate offense.
Sec. 4. Inspector. That in order to provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act there shall be detailed from time to time by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia an inspector or inspectors of the health department of the District of Columbia, whose duty it shall be, under the supervision of the health officer of the District of Columbia, to cause to be prosecuted all persons violating the provisions of this Act. Sec. 5. Devices for preventing smoke. That no discrimination shall be made against any method or device which may be used for the prevention of smoke and which accomplishes the purpose of this Act.
Sec. 6. Repeal. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith be, and the same are hereby, repealed. Approved, February 2, 1899.