Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-05
FILTERING OF WATER
Senate District Committee Holds q
Hearing in New York.
DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS TESTIFY
Relative Merits of Both Sys-
TENS.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED

PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED
Staff Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. January 4.-The hearing
held by the Senate committee on the Bis
trict of Columbia here today was attended
by a large number Of men interested in
different methods of filtration, and testi-
mony on the relative merits Of the SLOW
sand and the mechanical systems was Sc
cured from experts on that subject of ma
tional reputation. Senator Mcmillan, chair
man of the District committee, presided
at the hearing, which was held in parlor
of the Waldorf-Astoria. When he was
called away from the hotel Mr.. Charles
Moore. clerk Of the committee, acted in his
place. The hearing was informal one
in many respects, and the utmost freedom
in discussing the relative merits of the two
systems of filtration was allowed. DR..
Woodward, health officer of the District,
who is believer in the slow-sand method
of filtration and Col. Miller, in charge OF
the construction Of the filtration plant,
who recommended the mcdaniel system,
were both present and each questioned the
witnesses very fully. The list of witnesses
examined was made up largely from sug-
gestions by both Col. Miller and DIR. Wood
ward.
A commission consisting of Messrs. AL
len, Hazen, Rudolph Herring and G. w.
Fuller of New York, AL who testified here
today, has been authorized by the District
committee to make a careful study OF tie
itra ton problem in the District and report
on what they regard as the best metnoc
for filtering Potomac water
The witnesses, generally, were of the
opinion that a careful study of conditions
of the Potomas water should be thoroughly
MI Ia1 in nY1a tn 12ta m n q
of filtration would operate most success
fully. 1t is believed that there will be no
difficulty in fully determining this question
in ample time for Congress to make an APP
preparation for continuing the work on the
filter plant.
DIR. Billings Testfies.
DR.. Billings said he had not followed the
development of filtration systems during
the last four or five years, though he was
familiar with the literature on the subject.
He said that both the slow sand system
and the mechanical system each had SUI
perior qualities.
From what l know about Washington
l should prefer to adopt the slow SAND nj
ter he said, for that place
He took this position because he con-
sidered that the efficiency of Sow sand Ill
traton had been fully demonstrated, which
not true of the mechanical method
He had no positive knowledge on the prob
with filtration, but from his general knowl-
edge he thought it would not have any
deleterious effect.
He said that while the effect of filtration
on typhoid fever germs was the chief pur-
pose to be effected, yet it should also De
considered because of its effect on cnolera
germs. He had never gone. into the ques-
ton of the relative efficiency OF the two
systems in the removal Of the color ba-
cillus He thought that the removal OF
infectious forms of disease germs was OF
more importance than merely preventing
turbidity OF the water.
Merits of Two Systems.
Dr. Billings testimony was quite briefly
stated, and he was followed by Mr.. w. Z.
Mason, professor of chemistry, Rensselaer,
Polytechnic Institute, Troy, n. Y, and
author of Water Supply
Mr. Mason said as a general rule he pre-
ferred the slow sand system of filtration Tor
large cities where the water is rather Gear
and the mechanical system for large cities
where there is a great degree OF turbldlly
and for places where the water supply Is
small Were he called on to give a snap
Judgment as to the system best adapted
for Washington, he would prefer the SLOW
sand filter unless there is special evidence
in favor of some other form better suitable
for local conditions. He had read the re-
ports of the special committee OF the Medl,
cal Society Of the District of Columbia, and
he felt that, in some respects, such COM
ment and criticism almost take the form
of special pleading
For instance he said, Il DO not see
the wisdom of allowing the public to infer
that in some instances mechanical filtra-
ton of city water has been direct cause
of a decided increase in typhoid fever. NO
one who knows anything about hltratlon
believes that to be fact; and moreover, so
far as two of the cities are concerned,
where such strange results are claimed.
namely, Elmira, N. Y. and Lexington, Ky.
| chance to know that the true state OF
things is quite the reverse Of this, and that
the filters have greatly improved the W
phoid death rate.
No Danger From Alum.
So far as alum was concerned, he said
that in the mechanical system no alum
reaches the consumer, and the aluminium
bydrate formed goes to the sewer with the
removal of dirt.
1.-THE change" he said, Sin the chemical
composition of the water by the use of
alum is a turning Of carbonate of lime into
sllphate of lime, which Is change without
Significance from a hygenic point Of view,
but one which is unpopular with steam
users, because the scale formed by the sui
phate attaches itself more firmly to the
boiler tubes than does that resulting from
the presence of carbonate of lime. 1t is,
think unfortunate to make Use of the eX
preston 'sulphuric acid when speaking of
the operations of a mechanical inter- 1t Is
unnecessary, and. moreover, 1t frSntens me
uninitiated Sulphates are involved N this
form of filtration, but no free sulpnuric
acid. Would any one think it wise to refer
to the use of 'hydro-chloric acid as part
of our daily food when the real meaning
intended was its combined form in the
shape of common salt?
I'm conclusion" he said, ''let me say that
although in the absence Of experimental in
formation | should have favored an English
filter bed for Washington, yet now, that
practical trial has been made, under the d.
rection of reliable and competent men, /
should consider it great lack of wisdom to
attempt to question their findings or to dis
credit their recommendations.
This latter comment was In refer
ence to the report of Col. Miller, who COM
mended the mechanical filter to Congress
for the District of Columbia.
meteorological Efficiency.
So far as the meteorological efficiency Of
the slow sand and the mechanical systems
of filtration are concerned he thought there
was no difference between them.