Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-13
A POLLUTED RIVER.
How Pulp and Saw Mills
Affect the Potomac.
DEC0MPOSED MASSES
FISH DRIVEN OUT AND WATER
CONTAMINATED.
Legislation Necessary to Prevent the
Public characterization
: Above Great Falls.
DECOMPOSED MASSES

During the coming summer there Is likely
to be a renewal of the agitation for legisla-
ton against the pollution of streams which
come under the interstate regulation OF
Congress. The federal government Is about
to enter upon the expenditure of large sums
for the construction Of filter beds to purify
the water of the Potomac river. Sugges-
tion has been made that one necessary step
toward complete publication Of the water
would be legislation forbldding the poliu-
ton Of the stream by tanner1es, saw mills
and pulp mills.
The Potomac river has been the victim
of this sort of pollution for long time,
although state legislation has been direct
ed against it. There seems to be no effec-
tive remedy. however, unless Uncle Sam
gets his dander up and goes In TO clean
out the sources Of pollution.
If anything is done in that direction there
will be loud shouts and much rejoicing
among the worshipful members of the
ancient and Honorable Society of Dis
ciples of Izaak Walton and Other Noted
Fishermen" This organization has wasted
many expletives. Ohturgations, anathemas,
not to speak of plain. honest, everyday
cuss words, on the pollution OF the river.
Righteous men of the organization have
suffered In Silence not going to the lengths
of the more hasty OF their brethren dn say
ing things, but taking delight therein,
nevertheless.
The pollution Of the Potomac water by
tanneries, saw mills and pulp mills Is well
known to every one who has inspected the
upper reaches of the river beyond Wash
ington. Undoubtedly the pollution Is detri-
mental to public health. Then, besides
that, it kills the fish.
A report on the pollution Of rivers. which
wits prepared by Mr.. Henry Talbot and
made to the Game and Fish Protective As
ISOLATION Of the District of Columbia some
time ago, con>ains interesting statements
regarding the local situation. Mr.. Talbot
wrote:
1.-THE surest salvation of our streams and
our fish Is widespread knowledge of the
reasons of their destruction and the means
for their redemption. 1t Is nearly useless to
wasts.lublic moneys in the propagation and
distribution of good fish If they are to be
consigned to poisoned waters. The commit
tee of the medical society in its report said
that the Potomac above the intake" at
Great Falls is sewer Last year fewer fish
than for twenty years were caught above
the intake. With low water and clear,
after months Of mud, which as thoroughly
protected the fish as a well-observed close
law, more should have been taken In the
short period Of September fishing water.
every stone was slippery with ooze; every
quiet reach had plumes Of green slime yards
and yards long, under which no bass could
live, about which no bass could feed.
whether this was the direct result of de-
cayng filth which made the river that
sewer described by the medical committee
or only the result of natural causes as heat
and drought, is one of those things which
needs demonstration.