The times., 1899-01-14

apnuallv over 100000 tons OF sediment the
washings Of the surface soil over this area. The
river is 4 sewer for nine cities and towns and for
large agricultural population along its banks.
The impolicy and absJrdity OF using the same
river as d sewer and a source OF the supply ot
drinking water Is apparent; but in the nature OF
things this is sometimes unavoidable. There arc
two ways of lesseniRg the evil: To prevent the
contamination of the river with sewage or 10
get rid OF such contamination before the water
is used
The report favors filtration as the only
successful method of purifying the water.
The report states the need of chemical
laboratory and cites many instances of
the detection of authorizations in food and
liquids.
The report shows the prevalence of ma
larial disease in the southeast portion OF
the city and says that during five months
in 1898 1853 children were absent from
school as result of malaria. This dis
ease is traced to the emanations from
the Anacostia River. The report states
tbta the present condition OF that river
is a menace to the health OF the city.
DIR. Johnson spoke at length on the
health of school children in this and other
cities. His remarks were illustrated with
charts. showing the amount of illness,
morbidity, etc, in the public schools OF a
number of cities. DR.. Johnson stated that
no child ought to be admitted TO the pub
lie schools until after il has reached the
age of eight years. He also stated that
all children ought to be examined before
being admitted to the public schools, and
no child disposed to disease of any kind
should be permitted to attend. He strong
ly advocated the medical inspection of pu-
pills.
DR.. Johnson Stated that the Anacostia
River was the direct cause of the large
pf in ri0
A resolution was adopted, providing that
the members of the Board of Trade do all
in their power to bring the attention Of
the District Committee to the facts CON
tanned in the report OF the committee on
public health.
The report of the committee on river
and harbor improvement was then read.
II makes comparison of the present con-
dition of the harbor with the condition re-
ported in 1871, showing the Improvements
made. The report advocates the removal
| of the present Long Bridge and the erec-
| tion of a new structure of strength and
| beauty. The report states that any leg
! islation affecting the Anacost:a River
should be single in its purpose; that is to
| say, the completion of the widening and
/ deepening Of its channel ana the >rec-ama-
! tion of its fats from its mouth to the
| Maryland line.
Extracts from the report of the survey
/ of the Anacostia River for the purpose of
| improvement and the reclamation of its
/ fats were read and a resolution was
! adopted favOTing the report and the work
| and asking that it be attended 10 at once
| President Noyes stated that AIessrs. \.
! II. p. Pardon. f. l.. Moore and George
! Truesdell had been appointed delegates
( 10 the meeting of the National Board OF
! Trade next week.
! 1t was announced that the annual recep-
/ tion Of the Board of Trade will be held
at the Arlington early in February.
/ Secretary Harries then made an appeal
TO the members 10 secure work for the un-
employed men who had served with rhe
/ First District OF Columbia Volunteer In
! fantry.
The meeting was then adjourned