Evening star., 1901-01-18
FILTRATION DISCUSSED
BUSINESS MEMS ASSOCIATION OP-
POSES USE OF ALUM.
The Effects of Using Impure Water
Reclamation of AnacOstia Flats
Advocated.

The regular monthly meeting of the Busl-
ness Mems Association was held last even
ing at Elks' Hall, No 1905 E street north
west, with Mr.. Mitchell Dyrenforth, the
president In the chair. and Mr.. Barry Bulk
ley serving as secretary.
After the submission of a report by the
cha irman of the committee on the proposed
new code, Mr.. V. Baldwin Johnson relative
to that matter, and some remarks by Mr.
Thomas G. Hensey in favor of allowing
property owners to settle their taxes semi
annually. instead of once year, DR.. ID.
Percy Hickling spoke the subject of fill
tration.
After speaking of the difference between
sand filtration and mechanical filtration, Dr.
Hckling referred to some Investigations on
the subject by a commhtee composed of
Drs S. c. Busey G. w. Cook, George NJ.
Kober. Il. T. Sewers and w. c. Woodward
The committee reached the conclusion that
filtration of the Potomac water on large
scale was imperatively called for in order
to diminish the excessive typhoid fever
death rate in the national capital. During
the year ended June 80 1900 there were
221 deaths from this disease, and probably
not less than 900 cases, which, at a con-
servative estimate, represent a financial
loss to the community OF over Sl,GUo,ooo per
annun.
Statistical Showing.
Wherever a proper system of slow sand
filtration of the water supply has been in
stalled, il was said, the mortality from
typhoid fever has been reduced from 90 to
10 per cent, and there Is every reason to
assume that the same result can be accom-
pished in this city. IF we reduce the NOR
tality only one-half every year DR.. Hick-
ling said. over 100 lives will be spared, the
community will save over SotUooo. ana an
incalculable amount of human suffering
nd M
plished by the expenditure of s., 46l .33S for
the installation of the sand filters with an
annual operating expense of $780, ,4U2 q.
Indeed, the first cost of the plant may be
safely reduced by $3.50, 80 by emitting the
covering OF the filter beds, as suggested by
two experts employed by the War Depart
ment to investigate the subject. 1t was
further stated that while the first cost Of
sand filters is greater than the mechanical
device, it has been found that the former
improve with age.
Dir. George NJ. Kober In his remarks
showed that during the past ten years
there have been .9s7 deaths in the District
from typhoid fever alone, and asserted that
as medical man, he was not afraid to
venture the opinion that one-half these
deaths could have been prevented by the
use of pure water.
Protest Against Alum.
A resolution offered by DR.. Iiickling was
adopted to the effect that the Business
Mems Association enters its protest against
the adoption of any filtering plant for the
District of Columbia which Will REQUIRE
the use of alum. 1t was Contended that the
water of the Potomac river can be filtered
by the natural method, which does not re-
quire the addition Of any chemical.
Mr.. Thomas W. Smith called attention to
the fact that Congress is fully posted as
TO the medical reasons for wanting the
Anacostia fats reclaimed but that the
river and harbor committee of the House
OF Representatives wanted to know some
thing about the navigation side of the
question, and on his motion resolutions
We're adopted reciting that prior to 1890
the AnacoSia river was navigabie stream
with depth OF water sufficient TO float the
largest vessels then in use: that the width
and depth of water have been decreased
by cauSeWays, bridges and the filling of
the Potomac river flats across its channel;
that this contraction in width and shallow
depth have been caused by legislation en-
acted by Congress, and as the District Is
under the exclusive control of Congress,
the lawmakers were requested to enact
such legislation as will restore the COM
mercal condition of this waterway, which
existed when the Maryland portion of the
District was ceded to the United States.
The subject Of the proposed bond issue
was discussed at considerable length, and
the chair was authorized to appoint COM
mittee of three TO Investigate the present
status of the matter.
A resolution offered by Mr.. P. H Heis-
kell was adopted requesting Congress 20
appropriate $4,000 for the purpose of
building q bridge across the Anacostia
river from the foot of 1st street southeast.
Physicians praise Chris Nanders "Mellis-
tom for It's astonishing curative effects in
grip. Only at 800 1th street.-Advt.