711.4215 Air Pollution/447
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Canada (Robbins)
Sir: In instruction No. 5 of August 3, 1933, reference was made to the Department’s instruction No. 841 of February 10, 1933, and to subsequent instructions which have been sent to the Legation in regard to the pollution of air in Stevens County, Washington, by sulphur dioxide fumes from the Smelter at Trail, British Columbia.
[Page 62]The communication from the Canadian Government which was expected to follow the discussion which took place at Ottawa in May has not yet been received. The communications urging that adequate steps be taken to suppress the nuisance caused by the fumes, which the Legation was directed to present to the Canadian Government, remain unanswered.
Please inform the Department of any developments which have occurred relating to the Smelter case and report whether the communication which the Canadian Government was to send several months ago can be expected in the near future.
No opportunity should be lost to impress upon the Canadian officials the feeling prevailing in the United States that negotiations looking to a solution of this air pollution problem have not been characterized by the progress which can reasonably be expected when dealing with a matter of so much importance and of such urgency and vital concern to so many people.
An early report will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,