New-York tribune., 1903-03-10
FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

The Senate Committee on Public Health will
On Wednesday giTe hearing on tie bill Of Sen
Htor Stewart, of Ithaca. comforting upon the
State Commissioner OF Health power to regu-
Hste or prohibit any new discharge Of sewage
Or refuse either By municipalities or manufaet-
Rlring establishments into the waters of the
State. The bill does rot interfere In any way
with existing rights Of sewage disposal but it
does aim TO put stop to further pollution OF
nEaters. 1t provides that municipalities and
Others discharging waste into waters of the
State must make report Of their situation,
shat the health authorities may have accurate
Information of the present condition Of the
ETaters. Henceforth anybody who desires to
uSe streams for additional drainage, either by
kbe construction Of new sewerage systems or
new factories, must obtain a revocable license
Rronl the Commissioner of Health. II the dis
charge proposed seems to be proper he will
grant the license for such time as may be con-
Sonant with public safety. II it seems to men
Rce public health he will refuse the permit and
compel resort to some better method Of waste
disposal Anybody who hencefortb discharges
FRaSte into the waters Of the State, except in
accordance with vested rights, without OBJ
Eaining such license, and anybody who coz
kinues to discharge waste in the exercise of
vested right without filing q report of the nature
and extent Of his operations will be guilty of
EnisdemeaDor.
This is an excellent measure. and should be
passed. The people in the western part of the
State are just now having q lesson of its need.
gthaca is afflicted with typhoid epidemic. Its
sewage is discharged into Cayuga Lake From
Cayuga Lake Seneca Falls and several other
large towns draw their water supply. The
aves OF thousands of people are menaced by
khiS barbarouE system of using State waters as
drainage canals These inland lakes and rivers
Of New-Tork are the natural reservoirs, the
preservation Of which In their purity is of the
utmost importance to the whole people. II is a
pity that ignorance and csrelessRess have led
&c their present pollution. and 1t may be neees
sary hereafter TO take measures to remove ex-
1sting dangerE- However that may be, precau-
xioa is needed for the future. The population
Of the State ie rapidiy growing. If old methods
continue and new sewerage systems are allowed
60 be built at random every lake and river In
the State VIII soon be touled New towns VIII
Erow up to e0daneer ed established water sup
piles II is lime to take warning and guard
khe public health.
The present bill does not prevent any proper
nss ef waters fer drainage. The Commissioner
pf Health win grant Hceuses where 1t can be
safely done It does, however, provide for
careful supervision with . view to ell interests
Anyolved. At present one town, finding In
RsighhcTiag Iaks OF FtFsE o eoDyensenf sass-
Sod, Shinks only 1f itself. IL does not kHOW
~ eeFe e twenty Hsiles away some other town
b drinking the water 1t plans to poliute The
Eenersi safety eeu Be eared Ter only By some
bsatx1S snsAsEtty which can consider Ill phases
y atxstier end prsEeat The eepsbScdon ee