Evening journal., 1903-02-14
DRINKING WATER
IS FILLED WITH
FEVER GERMS
Believed That the Brandy
wine Is Polluted by Barn
Yard Drainage
FACTS HAVE BEEN KEPT SECRET

NN HDNS OPinlVU III TdNoI " eiiS
Immediate Issue of 6onds-Health
Board Should Act.
The request of President Belts, of the
Water Department, at the meeting OF
the commissioners held on Tuesday of
this week. that certain data held by
DR.. Pyle and Mr. Jones relative to the
impure condition of the water supply
Of Wilmington, be withheld from the
public has brought to light the alarm
ing information that the present preya-
lence of typhoid fever is attributed di-
rectly to the polluted condition Of the
drinking water.
Water Examined.
The water of the city has been ex-
amined by Professors Robin and Ches-
ter of Delaware College, and Professor
Abbott, of the University of Pcnnsyl-
vania. These experts have found the
water in some cases teeming with bac-
tera in every instance in a bad cOndi-
tion proving a menace TO the health OF
the city.
Dr. Pyle, when seen by a reporter of
the Evening journal, at his residence
this morning, admitted that he had
the facts and data to prove the un-
healthy condition of drinking water
in this city, but refused to make them
public, claiming that he had promised
President Belts, of the department, that
ne would not do so until the next meet
ing of the board: 81 intend then. to
give my reasons for borrowing the
money for the immediate construction
of the new reservoir, despite objections
to the contrary" said the physician
President Belts Talks.
President Belts WAS asked today why
he objected to the matter becoming
public property and said: ''The present
filter was constructed twelve years ago,
and at that time was believed to be the
best that could be obtained for the
work but since then improvements
have been made along its line, until
there is now many better ways to
purify water, among them being the
sand filtration method, which the local
department intends TO adopt. Such a
filter cannot be erected in a few days,
but will take considerable time, and a
msw reservoir will first have to be con-
structed, which will take at least two
years TO accomplish. This whole mat
ter arises from a difference in opinion
between the members of the board as to
the manner in which the proposed inn
provements should be paid for. and
while there is a certain amount of bac-
terra in the drinking water of this city
it cannot be remedied in week. If il
could, we would only be too glad to
make the change.
'If the people of Philadelphia had
the water supply which Wilmington al
nresent enjoys, that city would think
il had at asst solved the pure water
question. Ny reason for Objecting tc
the data held by DR.. Pyle being made
uublic is simply to prevent an unneces-
sarv scare among the people in this
citv which would undoubtedly follow
such a move, especially as the state
mont would come from a physician. II
Dr pyle desires to bring the matter
nm al the next meeting l will have ne
further objection
.sIf typhoid fever germs exist IN th'
water it should be the duty OF the l5oar'
of Health officials to lnvesugdOe IT,
said a well-knOwn citizen TINS morning
land if such a condition exists som
method should be advised whereby UNI
health of the people is properly care
for The Water Department shoul
also he censured said the citizen 10
withholding information regarding tn
impure water supply Of this city. l
there is bacteria in the water the peopl
should know it Immediately, so tina
nroper precautions can be taken IN II
use"
Some years ago there was an epi
demic of typhoid fever in this city an
the cause was traced direct to the watel
II was found that farmers along un
banks of the Brandywine mad CRANE
their pig pens and COW barns INTO IN
stream. Watchmen are employed |
patrol the banks of the creek to prever
this.
That the water is polluted has noti
ing TO do with borrowing money
construct the proposed new reserve
said an official interested in the watS
question, this morning. The surplus
the Water Department during the he'
two years will reach about $zOO,OoV an
as it will require but $25O,OOO 10 Dull
the basin what is the use OF b0rroWln
an immense amount of money when J
plan has as yet been decided upon
follow. 1t will take years to build u
reservoir and at the end of two year
time the necessary money needed
complete the entire proposed improV
ment can be borrowed.
Five years was consumed IN COZ
structing the Cool Spring reservoir al
how the Porter basinA which VIII
much larger can be built in two years
beyond conception.