The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-12
Pollution Of Virginia's Streams.

Pollution Of Virginia's Streams.
Editor OF The Times Dispatoh:
sr.-Considerable attention IS being d.
recteds4in different parts OF the State
to the pollution of our streams by the
growing; mining and manufacturing inter
tests. It has been taken for granted that
this was a necessary feature in the con-
duct of these Industries, and the desire
to encourage them has doubtless made
our people close their eyes to the evident
nuisanc the matter has grown to
such proportions as to force attention to
/ be given to it. Attempts have been made
! to check this pollution OF our beautiful
streams, sometimes through the courts
and sometimes through the Legislature,
but very little has been accomplished,
The companies who caused 1t were on the
alert TO prevent egfsation By lobbying or
through the influence Of legislators. In
many instances a bonus Offered to those
who suffered from the nuisance was eff
fective in preventing further measures to
check 1t, Lack OF cooperation and wrong
methods OF procedure have also led toSthe
failure Of some whose aims We're good.
That this pollution of streams can be
stopped without serious expense 10 those
who cause It. and yet with lncalculablei
benefit to those who are now damaged
by It Is the purpose OF this paper to
snow
& That damage. and great DANA ge at that,
is done by this fouling OF our waters, Is
beyond dispute. Those who cause 1t make
little attempt TO deny that it Is an in
jury to the business or property OF cer-
tain classes who are located on the
streams in question. Their plea Is that
tho number and magnitude and impor-
lance Of the interest mud the people chi
5ployed who are5benehted are greater than
those who are Injured, II II were pro-
ihblted 1t Is claimed the great iron min
Ing interests. the tanning industry, the
paper and pulp factories would be stop
ped, thousands OF people would be thrown
out of employment and great source
Of wealth to the State cut or, This
would indeed be serious II true. But Its
Bfalsity is seen from tho fact that these
dire results have not followed in other
States when these concerns have been
forced to keep the streams clear,SI t is
true that where they can use the streams
as seWers8to carry off their refuse i Is
possible for them to have n wider margin
OF profits from their business than when
they are compelled tn pake measures to
dispose Of this3refuse In other days. But
1t Is not true that these industries can
not operate, and operate successfully
when forced to provide settling pools for
their refuse.
Its frequently akenSfor granted that
some special legisla tion will be necessary
before this nuisance can be prevented or
stopped, The lack is not in the law, hut
jinaFits npplication,S33It Is difficult, for
instance, to ind "a lawyer of ability and
standing who IN not retained by some
company or corporation directly or In
sdlrectly interested In his pollution Of
streams. And when one who has suffer-
cd from 1t gets restless and begins TO
3agltate proceedings, the offer Of a bonus
or damages In the special case serves to
prevent further agitation "A mining COM
pa,y hes been known TO pay q yearly