The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-16
MORE ON
THE river
POLLUTION

The hearing on the river pollution was
continued this afternoon before the har-
Dor commission and Judge Bliss OF East
Providence told OF some disagreeable fea-
ture of the impregnation of the water
with gas and tar and the spelling OF the
paint on boats.
Attorney w f. Angel for the Gas com
pany explained that he was responsible
for the non-attendance OF the witnesses
from the Providence Gas company. He
said he wished TO get the drift Of the pro-
ceedings before the matter went farther
He said he wanted a copy OF the
stenographlc report which the special
committee OF the sheel fish commission is
having made.
Until he received copy of the testl-
mony. he said. he had advised the Gas
company TO keel its men away.
President Ellis was away, he said. and
he was unaware what arrangements the
president had made. as he had just been
called into the case.
Attorney James G. Collins. Jr., said that
he would proceed with his testimony and
the matter OF the strenographic report
would be brought before the sub-ccmmit-
tee.
Or. Gardner c. swarts. as state COM
missioner OF health. spoke OF the I'll effects
bridge where two sewers at least pour
foul matter into the river. There may
be seen a scum OF oily substance over the
oysters in the cars, he said.
1T is a menace to public health TO con-
tinue this custom
The doctor told of a recent visit TO the
Ernest street public station. and after
spending a few moments in the screening
room noticed very strong odor of gas.
faxy m
ber the air became insufrerable TO the
doctor, ne said. and he was Obliged TO go
out for fresh air The men Informed
the doctor that they were obliged 10 fire.
quently go out 10 get fresh air In order
to breathe.
The commissioner OF health stated that
this gas was Injurious to breathe; even
dangerous and he said he understood that
the gas works was the source Of the poll
luton OF the sewer from Inquiries he
had made.
Mr. Payne Of Riverside was next called
and he told OF noting the quantities OF
gas works refuse In the pits on the Gin
der dumps. saying IL varied from day
TO day.
Several samples Of the stun were SUBJ
mitted as exhibits and the odor escaping
from the glass stoppered bottles on the
table was enough 10 nearly sicken the
persons SlNllIlk near IL
The witness told OF getting samples
from the spout running out of the gas
works property into the harbor.
Mr.. Root OF the hnrbor commission
raised a question as to whether there
was any pollution OF the oyster beds.
Chairman j. Herbert shedd conceded
that the oyster beds were polluted ap-
parently much against Mr. Roots wishes
and Attorney Collins for the shell fish
commission said that no end of evidence
to prove that could be produced at any
time.
Senator Kenyon also seemed 10th to be-
lieve the stun came from the gas works
and questioned the witness TO find out IL
I'm any way this stuff could run up tho
river into the banks near the gas COM
pany's place.
When the tide was down he wanted 20
know IL this stun would not run out In
such quantities az TO give the impression
that Il was leading out Of the land.
Mr.. Payne did not think this was 40
and when questioned told OF the spelling
OF his oysters and little necks." The
hearing continued we'll into the afternoon.