The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-17
Drinking Water in the Region About
Marion, Ind, Contaminated by
Waste from Oil Wells.
PURE FOOD LAW ENFORCED
DIR. III. w. WILEY CARRYING OUT
PROVISIONS OF THE ACT.
Foreign Articles Which Have Been
AduIterated or ssPreserved" Barred
Out Of the Country.
ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

SptCldl 10 the lnQldldpOilS JOutudi
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16-"Although the
discovery Of oil in any region has invariably
been highly beneficial to that region from
commercial standpoint" said an official of
the United States Geological Survey, 1.-THE
blessings in connection Herewith are not
uncomplicated by disadvantages which at
times have proved to be serious. Among the
difficulties which arise is the pollution of
domestic water supplies by salt water and
waste oil which is allowed to escape on the
surface. In many places wells within wide
area have been ruined and streams crossing
through oil districts are usually contami-
mated to an extent that renders their use
for any purpose whatever impossible. The
United States Geological Survey, through
it's photographic branch, has undertaken the
investigation of this matter in the region
about Marion, Ind There the oil and salt
water wastes have had an extremely I'M
favorable effect upon both public and pri-
vate supplies. Nearly every private we'll in
the region has been contaminated with salt
water to a degree that renders its use i'm
possible for domestic purposes, and the
driven wells supplying the general system
of the city are beginning to show what is
undoubtedly pollution from the more vola-
tile compounds which occur in the oil found
l.
apparent to the consumers of the water as
the short term of storage to which the water
is subjected is effectual in freeing the wa
ter from odors and tastes which usually
arise from these volatile substances The
odor is distinctly perceptible, however, upon
entering the closed wells into which the
water is pumped, especially when agitation
thereof takes place The object of the in
vestigations of the Geological Survey is to
ascertain If it is not possible TO so dispose of
oil well refuse as to prevent ii from de-
stroying water resources in the immediate
neighborhood. Studies will be made of the
courses taken by the salt water and refuse
oil after it leaves the various wells, and so
far as possible the geological conditions I'M
der the surface will be studied so that suffi-
cient data will be derived to enable those
in charge to propose preventive methods"
XXX
DIR. II. w. Wiley, chief of the Bureau of
Chemistry Of the Agricultural Department.
is carrying out the provisions of the new
pure food law to the letter. Since the law
went into effect he has made a number of
food analyses and finds that at least 10 per
cent. of the imports into the United States
contain adulterants. I'VE have found adul-
terants in twenty samples, or 10 per cent
covering a wide range of food products, such
as preserved meats, particularly sausages
tables" said Mr.. Wiley. We are enforcing
the law from three points of view, as pro-
vided in the act. We are excluding food
products which have any substance added
TO them, not there naturally-whch is in
furious to health, such as preservatives
bleaching agents and artificial colors. We
are also endeavoring to exclude articles
which are forbidden entry restriction in
sale in the country from which they came.
This is in accordance with the specific pro-
vision of the law We are endeavoring, be-
sides, 10 exclude articles which are falsely
branded
Public men in Washington are greatly in
terested in the outcome of next months
elections in Ohio and Maryland. While some
concern is expressed over the outcome i'm the
former State Republicans generally expect
that the party will be successful there Rep
resentative GrOsvenOr the eminent, who is
here, processes the fullest confidence in the
success of the Republicans in Ohio, but is
not prepared to go into detail. AS to the con-
test for Governor. General Grosvenor is con-
WINGED Tom johnson will be beaten by an
overwhelming majority. There is also special
interest in the Maryland election. as a Leg
islature will be elected which will choose a
successor TO Senator McComas President
Roosevelt is said to feel strong personal in
terest in the outcome in Maryland, and q
strong campaign is being waged by the Re-
publicans there.
The State Department has received an in
teresting official report upon the subject Of
education and crime in Germany, taken
from official German publication. 1t
shows that there has been a steady increase
in crime on the continent, particularly in
Germany. in the past fifty years. In Ger
many this is said to be due to the fact that
that country has changed from farming
or agricultural state to an industrial or
manufacturing one The article shows that
the percentage of those who can write is
much higher Germany than in other
country. The United States ranks way down
the list in this regard. the percentage be-
ing depressed by the large number of ig-
nOrant immigrants. The countries which
have increased the appropriations for edu-
cation report decreased percentage of
crime, which is taken as proof that educa-
ton lessons crime.
ElIiaff In