New-York tribune., 1907-06-30
PURIFYING WATERSHED
CRUSIDE BEARS FRUIT.
Tribune G0ad PrOdS CrOt0n AuthOri-
ties INTO Real ActiUity.

\ reporter for The Tribune made trip recently
through the Croton watershed From Mount kisco
I'D TO Brewsters ne looked over the ground, where
last spring he saw the fragrant violations of
bygene by the Italians, and also by RESIDENT who
should have known better. He traced the typhoid
epidemic at Katonah TO its source when The Trib-
une first called attention that grewsome menace
He has shown how the Italians employed by the
Cross River dam contractors and the New York
Central Railroad deplOyed the valley when
they at liberty and, IN addition to MAX
ing the watershed sort OF happy hunting ground
made free with II IN the most unhygienic ways
These revelations called for correction of the
abuses.
The departments of this city pitched in under The
Tribune goad TO make corrections. They were
rather half hearted about it at first. When they
found that the crusade not a snapshot affair
the up-cOuntTy agents OF the Water Department
got down 10 real hustling. But whenever The Trib-
une let up for a little while the Old things
prevailed. Then it became apparent that there
would he let-up.
One of the leading property owners in the water
shed went out OF his way yesterday to inform The
Tribune that there was a wholesale correction Of
abuses under way throughout the watershed. Spe-
chc nuisances by great corporations having plants
up there were being removed. The Water Depart
rnent in section had placed fifty deputies TO
keep close watch of the closet -to-nature Italians
who infest the whole district This latter task he
admitted was the most difficult that confronted the
authorities.
The laborers. children of the sunny italian skies.
green hillsiof Tuscany and the far reaches Of the
shouId not be able TO hathe in the pellucid streams
OF the watershed and their wives accustomed 10
washing clothing in the sparkling waterways Of
tIeiF hallEe Iahd We're also At loss for the pro-
hIbition Of thei- domestic pastime. But the Water
Department officials ineXorable II
prohibition that should prohibit But tc carry out
this order eternal vigilance necessary. For
was not this the free land? And how il pos
eibe that the same Close-neshed interests that
were distressing in the native land should be
prevalent here? But so it was. and so IT has been
carried out, with the result that, owing TO the
FaF FTvf1, arrf- Of rfaa
supply of this city, the most careful supervision is
at present in effect
days so far back that the most ancient look upon
the incidents history, the British--odious name
in those days-made things unpleasant for the
forefathers, there is TO be hearing next Tuesday
which VIII place curb upon the pulp manufac-
turers-a curb which will be as unexpected and
lsual as the same sort OF q check applied to a
free and rather husky bronco. Governor Hughes
IS directly responsible for 1t. but II through
The Tribune that the conditions up there were first
brought to light
The farmers there used to mention the names of
the pulp mill owners with bated breath II was
like the hush before a rafting thunderstorm when
ever the fact OF the pollution of the streams by
the pulp mills was mentioned. Since Governor
Hughes took up The Tribune fight the hush has
been on the other side of the fence. The farmers
have awakened. They able to smell the
FUMES from the pulp mills fourteen miles away
They reminded Of the mills whenever they
attempted TO use the waters IN the brooks that
used TO dash near their farms, sparkling. foarning
clear crystal. Since the pulp mills were estab-
Iished, each with a strong political pull the farm
ers endured the pollution Of their streams, the
strong fumes from the factories the menace of the
political pull, with the stOlidity remarkable among
farmers who try to make the best of rather
rough situation. But then Governor Hughes began
TO be heard from. The farmers began TO wake up.
They began to talk. compare notes. to formulate
grievances
The result has been that Dr. Eugene Porter, the
State Health Commissioner, Will hold a meeting In
old Fort Edwards, beginning next Tuesday, and
will get evidence together TO put the pulp mill
into line with real good. submissive OBJ
servers Of the law. The hearing will be in the
trustees room at Fort Edwards This VIII not be
far from the strenuous districts where Sir William
Johnson, before the rather famous Declaration OF
Independence was wont to curb the saVages, and
where the great trail to the Canadian lakes wound
through the hills to the GIimmer Glass. which IS
called Lage George
The farmers viii feel free TO voice their com
plants when they Ike Baker. former Con-
gressman and political soothsayer OF Washington
County loom UP as their champion. There Will be
representatives, of the Merchants Association Of
this city there who wish protect the states
waterways. But all the blasts their bugles will
not have the effect OF clear note from Ike"
Baker. It is expected that at the meeting next
Tuesday the pulp mill owners will be made 10
understand that they will be compelled to take
care Of their refuse in other ways than by means
Of drainage TO the streams.