The Washington herald., 1907-07-29

Editor The Washington Herald:
In my humble opinion the Commission
ers acted wisely and in the interest Of
all the people by ordering the shallow
wells in the District closed. The public
health deserves first consideration at the
hands Of those clothed with authority TO
administer our affairs, and as our city
has been in somewhat bad repute Of late
because of typhoid fever epidemics the
criticism and slurs hurled at the Com
missioners because of their action are
unjust and unworthy OF fair-minded men.
The Commissioners, as every one ia
miliar with the matter knows, were re-
luctant to close the wells. and refTained
from doing so until the wells had been
condemned by the Public Health and Ma
rine Hospital Service Of thu United
States. the officials Of which. after
most careful and thorough analysis Of
the water. reported it detrimental 10 the
public health, and recommended that the
wells be closed AT once II any u doubts
the authority upon which the Commits
sioners acted, ! respectfully refer them
TO Bulletin s.. Hygienic Laboratory, Pub
Of the United States. which contains the
analysis of the District wells in full
The epidemic OF typhoid fever we have
had for the past two years has greatly
injured our city. and il was necessary
that something be done 20 prevent a re-
currcnce OF the fever this year, aud with
this object in view the Commissioners did
The only thing they could do as guard
Sans q the public health by ordering the
wells closed in accordance with the rec
concentrations Of the highest public
health authority In the United States.
Practically every well IN the District
was polluted. and while 40 case Of ty-
phOid fever may have been directly traced
TO any one Of them, yet there is no tell
ing how soon such a condition might
have developed.
Il VIII be admitted that the water Of
the wells was cool and refreshing. and
this very fact made them ali the more
dangerous. Not only was the health OF
poor people endangered by use Of the
water, but those able 20 buy spring water
seem 90 have been exposed 70 the germs
lurking therein, as i has been claimed
that unreliable dealers IN spring water
have bottled water from these wells and
sold 1t as pure mineral water Likewise
u has been charged that milk dealers
have diluted their milk with water from
them, and II this Is not endangering the
public health I should like to know why
il IS not
Not only has Il been proven by the
bulletin OF the Marine Hospital Service
referred TO above that practically all the
shallow wells OF the District are polluted.
but. the water of the Potomac River as
well. II has been but "A short time since
the District. at a tremendous cost in
stalled an immense filtration plant for
the purpose Of relieving the river water
used by citizens OF the District Of some
of its impurities That the filtration
plant has been largely successful in that
respect all rejoice TO know However.
still further efforts should be made to
secure pure, healthful water for the Capt.
tai City of the nation.
In conclusion. / want again TO protest
against the unjust criticism Of the Com
missioners for closing the wells They
did only their plain duty, and as the year
rolls on, with a reduced percentage Of
typhoid fever in our midst, those who
have been loudest in their denunciations
viii be heard to exclalm. well done.
thou good and faithful servants
ROBERT S HALL.
I2l2 II street northwest
Wnabfur-ar