The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-12
Horatio n. Parker Performs
That Function for Uncle Sam.
Only He Has to DO With Nothing
But Water.
HERE TO GET SAMPLES.
VIII Determine if That in
Kansas Is Pure.
Expects to Secure Agents
Throughout the State.
HERE TO GET SAMPLES.

econouics;=yes that's what
Hre called it for a while, and it seemed
to be a very nice word, too, meaning
the study of water from an economic
standpoint But there was very
tough town somewhere out west, and
somebody who had heard the name
decided 70 call the Main street Hydro
economic street. Since then the de-
parfment has been calling this work
Ehe water survey,
And SO Horatio n. Parker Of Mont
clair N. J. who has come to Kansas
FOR a. twelvemonth work, introduces
himself to the people of this state He
e. a water survey expert; in fact he
IS the only and original man in his
particular line. Of work in the coun-
try he is the founder of new
science. the science of wholesale ex-
animation Of water from an economic
standpoint.
At Washington, Mr. Parker is known
SIS assistant photographer Of the
Jnited States geological survey" When
asked concerning his home he said:
Il vote at Montclair. n. j.
Your family lives there?' was
glo-no-that is, you see. I've never
sbeen able to ind a girl that would
Men working in the United States
geological survey said Mr.. Parker
t4oday. found that there was need for
someone 10 do the kind Of work l am
doing, and that this need would be
szlkely to increase. I have therefore
devoted my especial attention to that
1ziad OF work
But what do you do2 What is your
work And what are you going to un-
Fdertake here in Kansas % was asked.
"Our work is directed largely toward
two ends said Mr.. Parker. First,
we ascertain by elaborate analytical
work, the mineral ingredients of water
an all the streams of the state, SO that
manufacturing plants requiring water
cG q certain character can from our
report find the best places to locate.
and towns desiring manufacturing
estab lishments can discover what kind
Of establishments their water is best
2daPted to supply
Second, we ascertain the character
OF the water from the standpoint of
purity for human consumption. A
town which has several available
sources of water can find out from our
reports which is best adapted to its
needs. We study the water supply Of
each town. we find out all about the
method of garbage disposal in every
town: about their sewer system. their
cesspools. their boards of health. If
an epidemic breaks out in a certain
town. the secretary OF the state board
Of health has right here in his Office
fun details about the water and sewage
conditions in that town. He knows
how to go to work to handle that
epidemic.
ITO accomplish the first object Of
our work, We propose to establish
about 20 agents at various points in
the state. TO send US samples of water
from al the principal stream
Wherever possible we want the local
water company, or city officials, to do
this A small sample of water Will be
taken from the stream every day, and
sent to the university laboratories at
Lawrence where all the analytical
work viii be done. The chemists at
for ten days, and analyze the combined
result for mineral constituents Such
analyses would cost individuals from
So to $25 per analysis: the state is do
ing the work free. This taking OF
samples viii be kept up for a whole
year, and each ten days samples will
be analysed. The samples will be
sent free of charge through the mails,
under government frank.
w G also use certain water ASSAYS and
other methods invented by Marshall o.
leighton, the acting chief photographer
Of the United States geological survey.
Samples Of water for the second OBJ
secg OF our work viii be collected by
special representatives of the labora-
tories, because such samples must be
taken with great care, and must be ia
ken to the laboratory without delay
We have also arranged with tho
bacteriologist at the state university to
make meteorological examinations of
some Of the samples. The chemical ex-
animation shows some things about the
purity Of the water and the bacteriolO-
wfcaI examination shows others.
Very likely when this state was first