Smoke Damage Suit Creates Fertilizer Brand

This short excerpt from Smelter Wars illustrates the challenges farmers on both sides of the border faced in having their concerns about pollution addressed. Country farmers and other land owners along the Columbia River had long complained that the sulphur dioxide fumes from the Trail smelter destroyed crops, rendered soil unusable, and caused substantial smoke damage. Eventually the International Joint Commission (IJC), formed in 1909 to investigate such cases, concluded that the CM&S owed the farmers $350,000 in damages. It also demanded that the pollution stop, creating concern for the Canadian economy should the smelter shut down. Enter [company president] S.G. Blaylock, who promised to "end pollution" as soon as proper abating devices were in place. Dissatisfied with the IJC's settlement proposal the two national governments agreed to arbitration. The…

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British Columbia History (Digital) - 1 Issue, 56.1 Spring 2023

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