Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
POTOMAC POLLUTION
EFFORTS TO PREVENT IT TO BE
p CONTINUED.
Accumulation of Waste and Debris
Disastrous for Many
Reasons.

There is quite a lively campaign being
carried on against the pulp mills that empty
debris in the Potomac just now" said
local business man today.
For several years the Game and Fish
Protective Association of the District of
Columbia has been contending not
alone for wholesome laws and their
enforcement, for the protection of
game and fish, but for the preserva-
ton of the Potomac river in its natural
scenery and purity. The association num-
bers in is membership hundred or more
leading citizens of the capital city, who
have been awake to the danger and disaster
that threaten fish life in that stream
through pollution of it's water and who have
realized the gradual decay and destruction
of the former beautiful and attractive
recreating localities along it's shores.
Through the presentation of deplorable
facts and continued appeals the association
did good work in assisting to procure
filtration plant for Washington and 1t In
tends to prolong the struggle to the end
that the river itself, with its bordering at
traction, may be reclaimed. The greatest
carnage in the past, and it continues large
ly in the present, occurred from the debris
and waste dumped into the river and its
tributaries by saw mills, pulp mills and
tanneries Acids, saw dust, shavingS and
kindred outputs contaminate the water or
these streams at times diScoloring them.
while the abandonment of the saw mills
and tanneries in some sections, accomplish
ed through wholesome legislation and its
enforcement has III measure relieved the
situation, the pulp mills cling to the prac-
tice of casting saw dust and shavings into
the river, until, in some places, notably at
Harper's Ferry and below, the bed of the
Potomac river has become one vast pile OF
rubbish, in many instances several rect
thick which has rotted and decayed, emit
ting foul gases when punctured, and which
has effectually exterminated the pride OF
the Potomac the small-mouthed bass. The
enormity of the offense lies not only In the
destruction, through this accumulated de-
bris of the fish, but it units the localities
for spawning beds and increase, and dur
ing the heated term the exposed bars or
rotting smelling shavings and saw dust
present 4 condition at once insanitary and
uninviting.
Financial Side Of the Question.
s'There is a financial side to the situa-
ton which should appeal to the residents
of the states of Virginia, Maryland and
West Virginia, and which it is surprising
has not prompted energetic and effectual
action on the part of the town councils.
game wardens and health authorities. 1t
is estimated that over 5000 people from
Washington and Baltimore visit the Po-
tOmac river lOcaltleS WitIuH d uiStdHce VI
sixty miles above the former city dur
ing the summer and fall seasons. These
vacation visitors and tourists have heard
of the wonderful fishing grounds that
abound. The hotels advertise their exist
ence. Many of these people patronize the
railroads leading to these so-called won
derful fields of recreation and pleasure.
Public houses. farm houses and club houses
become the stopping places for families.
the heads of which anticipate the pleasure
which would follow a few hours bass
fishing. The young seek the boating and
the mountain trails along the beaming
waters. This army Of people have in the
pended approximately $685. year, among
the hotel keepers, farmers, boatmen and
bait catchers. This IL q very low esti-
mate. It Is to be regretted that the
turned, and the patrons are looking for
pastures new. The business il beginning to
slip away from the hotel keepers, farmers.