Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-28
CLOSING OF SHALLOW WELLS
END OF HEARING By DISTRICT
COMMISSIONERS.
Matter Taken Under Amusement.
Views Of Mr.. West-What Mr..
Macfarland Says.

An informal conference of the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia was
held yesterday afternoon at o'clock. when
the testimony offered at the hearing earlier
in the day to determine whether or not
shallow public wells of the city shall be
closed was discussed. Commissioner Nor
row stated that he desires to look UP data
relative to the subject and the decision to
hold the matter in allegiance for a short
time was reached.
Commissioner Mcfarland today said that
nine wells to which no reference was made
! at the hearing will be closed at once, and
that similar action will be taken as to
thirty-seven other wells, against the closing
of which there were protests. The re-
naming sixty-three wells. it is stated. will
probably be closed. but not at this time,
1t is stated to be the intention of the
Commissioners to have deep wells sunk in
the places of those against the closing Of
which protests have been lodged.
What Mr.. West Says.
Commissioner West said at the close of
the meeting: The decision to close all the
public pumps and wells in the District is
one that is forced upon the Commissioners
by the recommendation of Surgeon General
health matters is admitted and who has
said that the existence Of the wells Is a
rious menace to the community. The Ma
tonal capital has, unfortunately, an I'M
enviable reputation becaus of its excessive
death rate. and any action which Is sug
gested as a means of reducing this record
must. matter of duty, be adopted.
Il admit that the preponderance OF test
Of people have testified to the constant use
of well water for many years without In
furious effect. and to the benefit which the
cool water is to the poor people who cannot
afford ice At the same time, the highest
health authorities assert, after analysis.
that the water is contaminated by sewage
pollution and is therefore, unhealthy. I'm
der these circumstances there is no alterna-
tive. The health of the people CT Washing
ton is and must always be the paramount
consideration.
Session Yesterday Afternoon.
At the beginning of the afternoon session
of the hearing yesterday the well, at Wis
consin avenue and Q street and on New
Jersey avenue between M and N streets
were discussed at length Mr.W H. Lowther
said the former should not be closed. He
regarded the water as splendid. Tim Q Con-
nor of Bath and Q streets spoke in defense
of the water of the well at SD and Q
streets 1t was declared to be remotely pol
luted by sewage. After Mr.. O'Connor had
concluded Commissioner West recalled that
years ago. as boy in Georgetown. he drank
from the we'll and lit never hurt him..
The closing of the we'll on Newton street
east of Brightwood avenue was not protest
ed against.
j. S Barron of $40 I'd street northeast
hoped the well at I'd and G streets north
east would not be closed. He does not
think. he said that the water is polluted.
Mr. NJ. Piggott Of SIG street northeast
was heard in defense of the well at 9th and
c streets northeast. Mr.. George a. Gill;
van said he hoped the well at 11th and F
streets northeast will not be closed, the
great number of people dependent upon 1t
for water will be greatly Inconvenience.
Mrs. ]. A. Pudnow stated her family has
used the water from the well on SeatOn
street between Lincoln and I'd streets for
forty years and found it good. DR.. Wood
ward stated the water according to the
analysis was remotely polluted.
Mr.. E. B. McGetrick said the water of
the we'll on North Capitol between and
C streets northeast is good and he does not
believe it Is unhealthy.
Mr. Tucker for Defense.
Mr.. Evan H. Tucker, president of North
east Washington Citizens Association. ap-
peared to defend the water Of the well at
Sth and A streets northeast.
These wells are quite a necessity and
are of great benefit to the various communi-
ties and should not be sacrificed unless for
good reason. The scientists in their re-
ports say the wells should be closed. We
bring you evidence in our good health that
the water Is good We are living evidence
in refutation of their theory" Mr.. Tucker
then presented a petition signed by over
300 residents of the section protesting
against the closing of the well.
The we'll located on l street southeast
between 18th and 18th streets then
taken up for discussion The health OFF,
Ger told the Commissioners the United
States pubhe health and marine hospital
service report states that there Is evil
dence of remote pollution. Mrs. John H.
Torney of 111S 1 street southeast appeared
for the residents and told the Commission
ers that the water is especially healthy. No
person appearing to protest against the
closing of the wells at 18th and Harrison
streets southeast and Jackson and Fillmore
streets southeast, the same were passed.
The we'll on the Hamilton road, accord
ing to DR.. Woodward, shows evidences Of
immediate sewage pollution. A. L. Smith.
colored, residing at Garfield D. c., pro-
tested against closing, declaring hard
ship would result. No protests were re-
ceived from the persons using the wells at
Standard avenue and Pomeroy street and
at the corner of Standard avenue and Nor
ris road.
Commissioner West presented a protest
against the closing of the well at 18th and
P streets. BY way Of explanation he stated
no analysis of the water has been sub
mitted to the health department. and action
in the mater will be deferred. The hearing
was then closed.