Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-02
Protecting rHE WATER SUPPLY


The Conference ~ Great Falls.
WHAT CAPT. syNoNs PROPOSES TO po-PReBA-
BILE COOPERATION OF THE CANAL AUTHoRI-
TIES.
The question as to what shall be done at Great
Falls 10 protect the water supply OF Washing
ton was practically settled there to-day. Messrs.
L. Victor Baughman, president, Stephen Gam
brill, secretary and treasurer. and Directors
Robert A. Dobbin, Spencer Watkins, JAS A. L.
Mcclure and Judge P. Hamiil, all OF the Ches-
apeake and Ohio canal company, were at the
falls to-day, and met Capt. Symons, Of the U. 8.
engineer corps, representative OF the govern
ment, In consultation about the matter OF pre-
venting pollution of the water. The canal
officials went up last night in the company's
boat Maryland, and met Capt Symons there
this morning. A STAR reporter was on the
ground to note the proceedings and see what
was done.
WHAT CAPT. sYMoNs PROPOSES TO DO
In the first place Capt Symons exhibited q
map OF the entire locality near the head OF the
conduit, and explained what he proposed 70
do he could get the consent Of the canal
company. He stated that he proposed
sa.ti ns ns place to close up no, sss
was advised In TIE srAR some time ago.
pSss dams 81 Of The IHs
few hundred yards OF the mouth Of the con.
any possible injury to the s canal S and Without
impeding navigation In the least Capt. Sy
and R,s tSDm a sSf the wg5e
proposes TO locate the new waste-weir at the
the lower end OF the present tumbling dam just
there which win interfere With the passage OF
cahai beats. 10 accomplish this he will throw
mud dyke across the corner which will do for
pleted Then outside OF the waste-wier there
VIII De about ninety feet in length OF overflow
below the conduit. Then, in closing the present
waste-weir, be will put In . small Golfer dam 10
exclude the water from the place he wants
masonry in the place where the present rotten
and leaky waste-wsir stands. Then, too, he
WIN NIL up the two tumbling dams or over
flows above the lock to a level with the tow.
path, and thus force all the waste water TO run
over below the conduit In addition to this
Capt. Symons asks that the canal company
shai lease TO the government, for the present, all
the land lying between the canal and the river
half a mile from the conduit mouth up. Then, the
captain says, the government would run a fence
along there and prevent any cattle or hogs from
ranging on this land, and also prevent any
stable from being built there. Capt Symons
assured the canal officials that he would do all
this work without at all interfering with nayi-
CATION, and without endangering in any respect
the canal property.
VIEWS OF THE CANAL OFFICIALS.
His representations, made with the map
spread out were kindly received by the canal
officials. They expressed themselves as willing
to accede to anything that would tend to pro-
tect the water supply Of this city, provided they
were not required to assent 10 anything that
could injure the canal or its property.
Secretary Gambrii of the canal company
said he did not believe there was any danger
Of pollution. but as the public SO believed and
was willing to pay for certain changes which II
was thought would prevent pollution. he was
willing to crafty the public. He would, he
said; insist upon the protection of the canal.
but he could not see that the changes proposed
would entail any danger. Mr.. j. B. Bser.
superintendent of that division of the
ger OF pollution, but II the people OF Washing
ton thought SO, and IL 1t was any satisfaction to
them to have the waste weir changed he was in
fivcr OF acceding TO that idea. He remarked
that public sentiment In Washington was con-
WINGED that the waste weir contaminated the
water, and there was no use arguing with pub
lie sentiment. He was satisfied the changes
proposed b Capt Symon could be made with
out any possible injury TO the canal, and they
Other canal an ofticials assented to thi, view,
President Baughman was . little more con-
sentative. When asked by THE STAR reporter
what he thought he replied that the officers aud
directors would have to consider the whole
question. He wanted time for consideration.
He said he had to protect the canal Interests as
to be sure that the canal interests were amply
protected before making any concessions. At
the same time Col. baughman manifested
every disposition to accommodate the people OF
Washington a. far he could do SO consist
emily with his duties to the canal company.
The canal or 'ais agreed to rescind the leases
to parties who have stables and are grazing
cattle on the ground between the canal and the
river. These leases are to be rescinded at once.
CAPT. SYMoNS READY TO 60 TO WORK.
Capt Symons said to STAR reporter to-day
that he has men ready and will begin the work
of removing the waste weir and stopping the
overfiows just as soon rs he gets the formal as
sent OF the canal authorities. He remarked:
"If get their consent before 8 o'clock, Eli
begin to-day"
The canal officials were to hold formal meet
ing on their boat this afternoon, and II cannot
be doubted that they will consent to she changes
Capt. Symons proposes. All OF them, from Presl-
dent Baughman down, told THE STAR reporter
that they went up TO find out what the govern
ment wanted, and that il the plans of the gov
eminent engineers did not interfere with or in
jure the canal there would be no difficulty.
Capt. Symons, In the name OF the government,
pledged himself that no injury to the canal
property should result from his plans.
Judge Hamill, one of the directors, said to
THE STAR reporter. "You will find the canal
company entirely willing to do what is right
am sure that the officers and directors will
give their assent readily 10 the changes pro-
posed at Great Falls"