Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-17
POLLUTING THE WATER,
Hogs, Dead Of Cholera, Floating In the
River.
INVESTIGATION BY THE HEALTH oFFIcER-wHAr rHu
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE TO DO.


Yesterday several OF the officers OF the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal Co. visited Health Oficer
Townshend and stated 10 him that the farmers and
sQuaters on the line OF the canal, all the way up
TO and above Harpers Ferry, where the hog cholera
Is now prevailing TO such an alarming extent, are
in the habit OF throwing their dead hogs into the
river and canal to get rid OF them (as heretofore
mentioned in The STAR, and it was represented
that there are now thousands OF dead hogs floating
in both the river and canal In the latter IL was q
source or very great annoyance TO the hands en-
ployed, so much so that many had left the service
rather than endure the stencil.
Knowing that such a state OF things as this
would in short time polute the water which
supplies the city, the health officer at once commu-
nicated the facts 10 the District Commissioners,
and IL was arranged that the health officer should
start up the line or the canal this morning TO as
certain and report the true condition OF the river
and canal at Great Falls ana above DIR. Town.
shend and Chief Clerk McCiinn accordingly started
about four O'Clock this morning for the Great Falls
and probably may go further up the line before
they return.
Tie Commissioners are considerably exercised
about the matter and will do ali In their power to
abate this evil. IL Il is found TO exist
Commissioner Edmonds told STAR reporter this
morning That he had i.sgivings as TO any powers
the District government could exercise In Mary
land or Virginia In connection with the natter he
was also ignorant as 10 the statutory laws OF the
these states with reference 70 the pollution OF tho
Potomac waters. There ought 70 be some Law
against it, and II there is none the Commissioners
would bestir themselves and procure from Con-
greSs or these two states laws for the protection
OF the water which supplies the capital OF the
nation from such pollution. IL is probable that the
commissioners VIII at once refer the matter to Mr.
Riddle, attorney for the District TO look up In the
meantime the Commissioners Will appeal to the
governors OF Maryland and virginia
THE ROCK CREEK NUISANCE
The same plan OF disposing OF dead hogs has evi.
IDENTIFY been followed by farmers along the line Of
Rock creek. The Nth that comes down Rock creek
settles in the pond formed at the mouth OF the
creek by the dam and lock located there. There are
great many carcaSses In the creek at this point.
The Chesapeake and Ohio canal author1tfo6 in
compliance with the request or the health onnco9.
have given order 10 open the locks twice q week
TO flush the creek and the mouth Of the canal
These locks are 10 be opened tonight. An appl.
cation was made TO the health officer to-day By
Mr.. j. G. Wall 10 have the order 90 modined a. 70
have the flushing done exclusively at night a, n
is claimed, TO keep the locks open during the day
will serious loss TO persons engaged In man.
ufactur1ng and other business on the banks a th0
creek near the gas works