The Washington herald., 1907-08-12

the pumps. will be exceedingly grateful
FOR this step; and this, it seems, IS one
Of the feasible plans for aIleviaJing the
present feverlsh condition of the city.
CLARA WRIGHT rutland.
Aug TO-
Well Water and Potomac Water.
Editor The Washington Herald;
1t is 10 be presumed that the Commits
sioners are sincere in their efforts TO
promote the general health by closing
the public wells, but there are certain
facts somewhat difficult 10 reconcile with
<his purpose. At a recent hearing on this
subject, when the purity Of Potomac
water was called in question, one Of these
officials Is reported to have said that
Potomac water was rot on trial. This
response does not have the ring of sin
cerity and sounds evasive. If Potomac
water is not on trial. why is it not? Why
not put it on trial before we are de-
prived of Its only available substitute? If
we are to be compelled 10 jump from the
frying pan, Is it not d matter worthy
Of consideration to know whether or not
We are 10 jump into the fire? And, If
there Is no place TO jump except into the
fire, why not stay in the frying pan? Ac-
cOrding 10 the present policy. we are TO
be denied the use -af cool refreshing
water. filtered and refltered through the
natural earth. and which has blessed hu-
manity for 100 years, ard compelled to
drink the warm, insipid water from the
river, polluted by cities barnyards, dead
animals, factories, overlooking cesspools,
privies. and what not? Now and then we
read Of a human body being ished from
the river, decayed beyond recesnition.
The Potomac is the natural sewer FOR 1900
square miles Of territory and yet we are
10 be compelled to drink its warm. pol
luted water. and denied the use of our
Springfield wells.
What the Filter VIII Show.
1t is not sufficient to say that the city
water has been filtered. So has the well
water been filtered. and much more thor
Oughly than has Potomac water. as is
proved not only by its coolness, but by
the mineral It contains. If any one
thinks the river water has been filtered
sufficiently TO remove all the impurities
above referred TO- let him reflter ten
gallons of ittand then examine his filter
He viii not need a government chemist
70 enable him to judge for himself
whether or not Potomac water IS free
from pollution. Neither would this
chemist, IN the writer's opinion, have 10
search half as long and anxiously 10 find
disease germs as he did when trying 20
find them In the water Of the wells.
It may be that well water is not abb
EOlutely pure. II may have become con-
taminated slightly from our leaky sewers
Of they do Leak, and some Of this con-
taminaton may not have been filtered
out by the earth before the we'll is
reached. Or thS wells may have become
polluted from lealy Potomac water
mains, or from river water sprinkled or
our lawns But why do the Commits
sioner5 deny US the use Of well water
on the ground that It is impure. When
our only alternative Is 10 drink some
thing else vastly more impure, as the
writer believes? The poor have hard
enough time 10 get along without being
compelled to buy ice. The ice companies.
the breweries, saloons. and perhaps some
other Institutions are doubtless singing
the Commissioners praises, but they are
mot in it for their health" or anybody
else's Give US a square deal. If Poto-
mac water is not on trial, please put 1t /
on trial, and withhold Judgment against
well water until there is something bet |
ter TO offer.
II both kinds OF water are equally i'm !
pure, why should either be forbidden ? |
In that case we ought still have the /
free use Of well water. ID because it is |
no more injurious to health, 90 because /
il would reduce the danger of a water |
famine, and 90 because Of its greater |
coolness. If, on the other hand, Potomac /
water Is more impure. forbid its use for |
drinking purposes-if the policy Of COM |
pulsion is to be pursued-and open wells. /
deep or shallow. at nearly every street /
crossing. If funds are lacking for this !
purpose. ask the public for assistance, and /
see what a response you viii get Let us /
not make an outcry against wasting |
water, and then shut of the independent |
supply. Give US the "Old oaken bucket" |
and the water meter can wait
c. ROYs. NJ D.
I have been a resident of Washington /
Tor more than forty years, and have been /
a patron OF these wells Y fully indorse
the foregoing statement.
Dr.. ". u. STARR.
Aug Il. 1907.
COmmends Oldest Inhabitants.
Fdifo- The Wasbingfon TFs-.Ia.