New-York tribune., 1906-03-22
BAY POLLUTION.
What May Be Expected IN a Fe10
Years If EUd Is Not Remedied.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The editorial appearing IN your issue OF
this day entitled For Clean Water" and draw
ing attention 70 the report OF the New York Bay
Pollution Commission and its recommenda-
tions. is most timely. and sincerely hope will
rouse the citizens Of New York 20 a realizing
sense OF the increasing urgency OF the situation
that is presented by the growing volume OF
sewage emptied into the Hudson River, the East
River and the bay. II will undoubtedly come 10
most Of your readers as an astounding revela-
ton that the New York Bay Pollution Commis-
sion through its investigations has established
the fact that more than 455OOO.OO0 gallons O.
sewage are now emptied into New York Bay
and the tidal waters Of the metropolitan district
every day. and that in this putrid mass there are
now more than one thousand tons OF solid mat
ter discharged into the waters contiguous TO
New York City daily.
Should the plan to construct a Passaic Valley
trunk sewer for the drainage OF a number OF
large cities OF New Jersey be carried out New
York Harbor Will ultimately receive an addi-
tional volume OF ssO.OOO.OoO gallons Of sewage
emptied into the bay at one point about three
quarters OF a mile north OF Robbins Reef light
house every day. The New York Bay Pollution
Commission in the course OF its Investigations
has established the alarming fact that the sew
age emptied into the Hudson River. the East
River and the upper bay Is not carried out TO
sea by the ebb tide. and thus disposed Of but
that the food tide carries back into the Upper
Bay and the Hudson and East rivers volume
OF sewage frequently large as that carried
down by the ebb tide; IN other words that the
sewage poured into the Hudson and East rivers
and tho Upper Bay Oscilatss to and fro between
Sandy Hook and the Hudson and East rivers
The New York Bay Pollution Commission
va Q~W0a
the conditions at present exert no appreciabIe
influence on the public health. the limit OF i'm
munity from the evil effects OF this constantly
growing contamination may be reached Inside OF
twenty-five years. In other words, unless some
scientific measure OF relief is adopted. the Hud-
son River, the East River and New York Bay
will within that period OF time have become a
noisOne cesspool that Will render residence on
the shores Of the municipalities OF New York and
New Jersey impossible.
The citizens Of New York should demand OF
their legislators the immediate passage Of the
bill prepared and recommended by the New York
Bay Pollution Commission for the appointment
BY the Governor OF a metropolitan sewerage
commission, 70 cooperate with similar BODY
in New Jersey, this commission 20 continue the
work Of investigation and 10 present a plan for
the scientific treatment Of the sewage OF the
entire district tributary TO the bay and neigh
boring waters NOT onIv OF greater New York but
OF the contiguous parts OF New Jersey now con
templating the additional dehlement Of New
The Chamber Of Commerce OF the State OF
New York the New York Produce Exchange,
the Maritime Association OF the Port Of New
York the Merchants Association OF New York
and the New York Board OF Trade and Trans
portatiOn have all adopted strong resolutions IN
this matter. urging the passage Of the bill pre-
pared by the New York Ray Pollution Cornmis-
sion.
There is some reason TO believe that there will
be opposition manifested TO the bill providing
for this metropolitan sewerage commission on
the ground OF alleged objection 70 the multiple
ity OF commissions, and. also possibly, on the
ground Of expense, but as the proposed netropol-
itan sewerage commission will take the place
OF the New York Bay Pollution Commission
there will be no additional commission created
and as the expense OF the proposed commission
y-iU he limited 70 a total amount OF $4,000 dur
ing the lifetime Of the cOmmissiOn-three years
n hardly seems that the great state OF New
york should baIk at this paltry expenditure
when the vital importance of the subject Is
considered GISIAN n. SCh"AD'
New York, March 21, 1905.