New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
THE PASSAIC RITER PROBLEM
CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE STATE COM
MISSION AND PATERSON OFFICIALS.
VARIOUS PoINTs-STARTILNG FIGURES OF
THE AMOUNT oF SEWAGE DEPOSITED
IN THE srREAM-sIIRINKAGE IN
VALUES OF PROPERTY on
ACCOUNT or TIE
POLLUTION.

Paterson May II CSpec!aD.-The Commission re-
Gently appointed by Governor Gr!gss to consider the
pollution OF the Passa.c River held its hrst session
to-day and met Mayor Braun city Engineer Fer
guson. Health Inspector Leal. William Kyle ana
w H. Barry The Commission consists OF DR.. H.
C. II. Heroli. OF Newark: William l. Hunt OF
Newark and DR.. Z. J. Marsh, OF this city
Mr. Hunt occupied the chair. He briefly sketched
the work Of the Commission. and said that II was
necessary to rely upon the authorities most inter-
ested for data as 20 the amount of discharge
and general sewage plans. present and future.
The Health Inspector said 1t was Impossible to
deny the existence of nuisance. For five years
constant agitation had been kept up, the people de-
mandng remedy Paterson was not to blame.
Thirty years before her system had been
laid out at a cost Of millions OF dollars, ana water
had since been diverted to other cities Remedial
measures would appear TO portend financial dis-
aster Other cities would reap the benefit, and the
Paterson authorities while willing TO assist In every
way demanded that these cities bear their proper
proportion Of expense.
City Engineer Ferguson, who followed explained
the course OF seven miles OF sewers. emptyng
through sixteen outlets into the river. II was mere
noted that farmers living along the river bank III
Saddle River and Acquackanonk townships had
held Indignation meetings last summer and threat
ened destroy the dam with dynamite. Mr.. Fer
EusOn did not believe the removal Of the dam would
remove the nuisance~ 1t would rather be accentu-
ated, ten feet OF water drawn off would render
the river bed a mud fiat. The amount of water
running into sewage flow about 100000 gal
Ions every twenty-four hours. This would not be
materially increased IN twenty years. The sewe-
acreage of Paterson had been laid out with view
the shortest route to the river. 1t was 80 laid
that an intercepting sewer must be erected along
both banks.
Mr.. Hunt here found that there provision
made to flush the river at Dundee, neither was there
a river ordinance preventing dyehouses from empty
ing tons of ashes and refuse into the river daily
Six hundred houses built along the bank had built
private sewers directly into the river. Ten million
gallons OF water impregnated with dyestuff and
chemicals also discharged into the stream.
william T. Rye. president OF the Passac Water
Company. declared that there was ample water. In
the greatest drouth he had supply OF 250oo,OOO
gallons daily Had the pollution of the river been
protected by an ronclal ordinance five years before
the Dundee pusance would not exist. The trouble
caused at the dam by millowners running night
and day. stretching n ten-hour supply 10 meet
twenty y-four-hOur demand. The water was drawn
off and an island Of corruption obtruded as natural
result. II tiH Dundee Water Power Company was
prevented from using the water, un.ess at least
quarter Of an inch Of water was running over the
dam. the nuisance could be abated and pollution de-
creased
Mr. Ryle referred to the sewage OF Stony Road
and West Paterson The shortest route to the
river here would place the sewer outlet above the
city intake. II had presented such problem that
city water had been tenied 10 residents OF the dis
trlct because the natural result would be pollution
of the Intake. Halelon presented the most a.arm-
Ing feature his mind. Mr. Rye was positive that
2o.onooo gallons Of sewage were empued into the
river al Paterson daily.
Dr Kline president Of the Board u Heath, was
fat-footed in demanding the removal OF the Dun
dee dam. He made IT apparent that property val
uatlons along the river bank had decreased alarm
ngly for several years o~ ing TO the nuisance
Where the death rate was low and the nuisance
dl not appear prejuIicial TO health the smell made
i simp.y Impossible TO i've IN the district. In the
general discussion which followed the whole ground
Vas once more carefully traversed, after which the
Commissioners withdrew promising TO arrange an
other meeting IN the near future.