Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
UNEXPECTED DELAY
Filtration Plant Not Ready
for Service Today.
THE FEVER SITUATION
THREE NEW CASES REPORTED TO
HEALTH OFFICE TODAY.
Conditions Not Regarded as Favorable
However-Hope Centered in
Filtered Drinking Water.

Although there were only three cases of
typhoid fever reported to the health office
this morning, ii would seem that the pres
ent outbreak is still forging ahead toward
an unknown maximum. Every day, so far
even though the number of cases reported
each day has slightly decreased, the new
cases have always exceeded the recoveries
and deaths combined and consequently
each day sees an Increase in the number
of patients under treatment for the disease
within the District.
Before 1 O'Clock yesterday afternoon but
four cases were reported. these being in
GUIDED in The Stars report of the days
progress of typhoid. but after l O'Clock
eight more cases We're brought to the at
tention of the authorities together with an
equal number of recoveries.
From 80 patients under treatment the
number was accordingly increased by four
to 2tS, and with the three cases reported
today. to 266. Since July a total of BAL
cases of typhoid fever have been reported.
Further postponement In furnishing the
first Of the filtered water to the District
from the two beds which were filed on
Tuesday, was announced this morning
when Commissioner Mcfarland was noti-
fed that there had been an unexpected de-
lay at the filtration plant Accordingly
the water from the first filter bed total
the District distribution system until to-
morrow or Monday.
Impossible to Complete Plans.
Lieut. Dent. the officer Immediately in
charge OF the work on the filtration plant.
has been making every effort, it Is stated
to turn the water in today. but the process
of preparation could not be completed in
time. The preparation of the other filter
beds, Mr.. mcfarland was informed, has
been carried on simultaneously, so that
they will be put in service one after an
other at not less than one every other day,
possibly more rapidly.
Commissioner Mcfarland expressed re-
greet that there should be even a days de-
lay in beginning the operation of the hltra-
ton plant. but said he felt sure that ac-
cording to the promise of the War Depart
ment the work would be pressed as rapidly
possible.
He took occasion to remind the public
that they must continue to boil the Poto-
mac water until the last of the filter beds
necessary to cleanse the entire amount OF
water required for the daily consumption
has been put into service. While the dan
ger from typhoid fever and other germs Will
be steadily reduced at the minimum rate
of 100000 gallons per day per filter bed 1t
will not be entirely safe to use the Potomac
water without boiling until the filtration
plant is completely in service.
Purity of Water Shown.
A specimen of the filtered water from the
first filter bed was brought to Mr.. Macfar-
lands Office this morning, which was fair
exhibit of the purity of the water. At the
same time the health officer brought TO
Commissioner Macfarland a sample of the
water from the filter which has been placed
by Mr. Netherlands direction on the tap
supplying the drinking water to the Dis
trict building. with an analysis showing
hat iS frpa J1r ~ n ri
stated tat the health department would OBJ
serve the District building filter constantly
in order to see that 1t is kept clean. Com
missioner Macfarland thinks that all per-
sons who are using filters should see to it
that they chemically clean. so that
their usefulness may not be lost.
House-to- House Canvass.
Aside from the efforts toward general
cleanliness which have resulted in the early
opening of a portion OF the filtration plant.
and the protest against the longer elimna-
ton OF the important Dalecarlia reservoir
from the District system of water supply, it
was announced today that both the house.
toulouse canvass entrusted to the police.
and the quicker collection OF all garbage.
as promoted by the street cleaning depart
ment and the Washington Fertilizer Com
pany. were progressing favorably. Only
twenty-five complaints against the nom
collection of garbage were received this
morning. as against one hundred each day
for the last two or three days. During
this rush time the superintendent of street
cleaning has spared no effort in devising
ways and means to remedy the situation,
and this morning 1t was definitely stated
that the cooperation Of both the Washing
ton Fertilizer Company and the railroad
company had been assured. The fertilizer
company has ten more wagons in service
with today and the railroad has promised
to transfer the tank cars to and from the
fertilizer company's plant at Quantico Va,
without loss of time.