The Washington times., 1905-02-18

After drawing a most gruesome pie
ture of the pollution of Potomac River
water, NJ. o. Leighton. head of the
Bureau of Economics Of the Geological
Survey, hastens to assure the public
that the new filtration plant will do
away with all the evils which now in
feet the District water supply, and will
solve the question of pure water as far
as the present necessity is concerned.
But for the future he holds out
gloomy prospect unless radical pro-
Eibitory measures are taken at once.
The filtration plant will serve its pur-
pose well. he says, UP to certain point.
When its capacity for doing away with
filth and waste is overtaxed as the re
suit of the increasing population and
industrial development of the Potomac
basin. providing present conditions con-,
tir1ue. the water Washing drink
viii resume its present state of con-
termination.
Leighton's Investigation.
Mr.. leighton has concluded an inves-
legation which covered several months,
and which required the services Of a
number of assistants IN the field. AS
announced in The Times recently. the
result of the examination was to show
that the situation has passed from bad
to worse, and the pollution of the river
is more apparent today than at any
previous investigation.
At Commissioner Vests request, Sec
rotary z. a. Hitchcock has forwarded
copy of Mr.. Leighton's report to the
District Commissioners The lengthy
statement deals in detail with the con-
ditions and causes of pollution at every
point the Potomac and each Of its
tributaries, covering the entire drain
age area.
Pollution Inevitable.
In beginning. Mr. Leighton shows that
pollution of the water is inevitable as
long as the basin is inhabited. The
damage caused will increase with the
increase in population along the river
general principle that can be applied
TO all river systems. Even were every
approved appliance for the publication
OF waste from municipalities and indus
trial plants on the Potomac made use
OF. the water would not always be con-
stantly fit for domestic consumption
While it is absurd to propose the de-
population of the river basin, the dam
gers are too great, it Is said, TO be
utterly 6iisresarded.
The natural drainage of occupied land
VIII not produce a river Of liquid filth 4"
says the report 1t win not make 1t a
p3DiEC nuisance nor neface the land
scape, nor kill fish. nor damag e any in
dustrial plant Its only effect is on the
domestic supply.
Price of Development.
Mr.. Leighton terms this the price to
be paid for the political and industrial
development Of the Potomac basin. and
shows that the Federal Government
recognized this just debt and paid part
of the penalty itself in building the fiji
tration system. 1t was a matter of
economic necessity, but extending only
70 the publication of unpreventable pol
luton.
The Potomac river is greatly abused,
says air. Leighton. There is an inter
Iacg of regard for the purity of the
wafer, FOUL and putrid matter is depos
u, me main stream. no sbparent
op the river for the prevention OF dis
ease among those below them and the
LIS r.a,., are evident 70 casual observation
without the use Of a chemical test
Begins at Great Falls.
Inc party began its investigation at
Great Fails. where the Washington in
lake Is located Sixteen miles above
great Fahs IS Goose creek, entering
from the south. Leesburg, Va. is To-
Gated on Tuscarora creek, a tributarv
OF the Goose. eight miles above the con-
Huence with the Potomac 1t is a town
OF l,9e0 population with no sewage sys-
TEN. Typhoid is common and the dis
lance TO the Washington intake is short
ana one or Two cases at Leesburss can
very readily lead to 100 in N'ashIneton'
F.redegicls. Md. is on the Monocacy.
fifty mffes above Great Falls IT has a
popula ton of 1886 and a system of snr-
face drains leading into Carroll creek
which flows into the Monocacy carr,-ine,
also fannery wastes and spent dye
liquors.
Source Of Pollution.
At Frederick Junction on the Mono
eacy. the toilets of the railroad system.
more dangerous than generally believed
10 be. drain into the river and this is
termed the most serious source of pol
4st4i