Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-29
A CAUSE FOR REGRET
THE DELAY OVER THE FILTRA-
TON PLANT.
Need Of Its Prompt Installation-Re-
cent Experience In Philadelphia
Views of Physician.

Il observe that almost simultaneously
with the announcement in Washington that
there Is hitch over the bids for the in
stallation of our filtration plant" said a
well-known physician to a Star reporter
this morning, there comes word from Phil
adelphia that while the cases of typhoid
in that city have increased, there have
been no cases In the section where the
water Is pumped out of the filtration plant.
The Star short time ago published an
interview with member of my profession,
expressing a belief that many of our local
cases were brought in from the outside,
contracted in summer resorts and imported
into Washington, but he nevertheless urged
that our filtration plant be constructed with
the least possible delay.
I'm this l concur. and it would appear
from the intelligence from Philadelphia
that my colleagues views are substantiated
in unexpected and authoritative and Of
fetal manner. The fact that such condi-
ton exists in a portion of Philadelphia
ought to be, 1t is. undoubtedly. graft
flying to the residents of that city who are
served with filtered water as would be well
como to the residents of the capital the
news that the bids for our filtration plant
had been let. and that gangs of men were
already engaged upon the masonry and the
sand beds.
no such happy condition exists in Washing
ton, and I am sure that I voice the united
sentiments Of a patient and long enduring
people that it is to be deeply deplored that
any delay In immediate and active work
upon our plant has been deemed necessary.
Specifically Designated in the Act.
TT is my recollection that the act of
Congress appropriating the money plainly
and definitely specified the character of
the plant, and it would seem that the exec
utive officers of our local government charg-
ed with the administration of the law
should construe the provisions OF the act
literally and clearly and comply with its
mandates. 1t is my recollection that no
discretionary powers were conferred upon
any official. but that the character OF the
beds was distinctly named.
TT Is a matter involving too serious re-
suits to be postponed for further investiga-
ton, or whatever the reason may be. The
preliminary examination into the whole
broad question of filtration and superiority
Of one system over another was very ex-
haustively gone into long before Congress
acted initially. The matter of the filtration
Of water for cities has reached such a
definite and well understood stage among
engineers and others interested in the SUBJ
ject that further investigation and conse-
quent delay cannot be received with either
patience or equanimty.
1--WE had all hoped last winter that be-
fore the coming Of the ensuing bad weather
our filtration plant would be in such shape
as would warrant its early completion
II we are to be met on the threshold of
winter with vexatious delay when and
where will the future postponements stop:
If the act were indefinite, even then the
postponenent would not be justified but its
provisions are too clear to admit of doubt
1T would seem that the necessary con-
illusions, which appear to be wanting in or
der that work may go rapidly ahead. might
have been reached long before this late
date The necessary data and facts to ar
rive at a positive conclusion might have
been complied and digested.
Importance Of Early Action.
while the motives Of those officials who
are charged by law with the responsibility
of executing the act are undoubtedly. sim
cere. and the feelings Of our residents are