Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-09
POLLUTION OF RIVERS
Consideration of Proposed United States
Commission.
Protection of the Potomac Concerned
-Nr. Mann Blocks
Matters.

Inc House committee on Interstate and
ioFeign commerce had under consideration
'llis afternoon measure OF coasidega bic
Importance 10 Washington, II was a bill
introduced by Representative Bartholdt OF
MISSOURI, authorizing the appointment of a
mted States commission TO investigate the
Question of water pollution Of rivers flow
ING through more than one Stale and to re-
port TO Congress their conclusions as 70
Whe'her sewage poilujes such streams
The Potomac river would come within
the purview of this commission. The uues-
lIo'i OF water pollution IL aUw being brought
l" me attention Of the citizens of Wash
!hston by reason of the suits being urged
peLofe united states courts AT Cunbe,l land
Mr.. Bartholdt appeared before rbr com
ihlttee this afternoon and made an argu-
ment IN favor of The bill. lie painted out
me TACT that the pollution Of interstate
rivers was subject beyond the reach of
"fainary state boards of health. that if
was a very important question and could
he handled only through the aid of Con-
greSs.
Mr. Mann Objects.
After Mr.. Barthodt had concluded his re-
marks 1t was designed to have Surgeon
General Wyman of the marine hospital
service present some views in favor of The
blll, but Representative Mann of Illinois, a
member of the committee ATTEMPTED to
rai- a halt to further consideration of the
biiI. lie suggested that it might be post
poned to future meeting
chairman Hepburn said that this was an
important subject and that the present
seemed TO him a good time to go into IT,
He was in favor of proceeding with the
business In hand.
Mr.. Mann insisted upon his objection TO
present consideration. He said the bill was
aimed solely at the Chicago drainage canal:
that the people of St. Louis were afraid
That the canal would pollute the water of
the Mississippi river. and that this bill was
designed TO embarrass the opening of that
o'nal and probably the completion of the
project.
Mr.. Joy of st. Louis denied the imputa-
tion, and said that Furthermore the bill
could not affect the canal.
MIR. Mann was fearful that ii would and
at any rate thought it best to wait and see
whether there was any cause for alarm,
whether the canal did polute the waters
and then it would be time enough to offer
such i bill.
Mr. Mann Blocks the Bill.
After Mr.. Mann had reiterated several
times his statement that the bill was aimed
aimed solely at the Chicago drainage canal.
Chairman Hepburn took exception to his
assertions. He said it was a reelection upon
lhe committee to make such charge For
himself he would support the pending bill,
II the Chicago canal had never been heard
Of He thought 1t was a good bill.
IheIeGpon the committee proceeded to
perfect the language Of the bill. Several
amendments were made. and a motion put
to favorably report the bill Mr. Mann in
terposed with motion to postpone consid-
eration.
The sentiment of the committee was clear
ly in favor Of the bill, but out of considera-
ton to Mr.. Mann 1t was finally agreed to
lei the bill go ever until the meeting one
week from next Friday, when an effort will
be made TO obtain a favorable report.