New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-18
WATER INQUIRY WIDE.
Hughes disks Porter to Investigate
Upper Hudson.

Albany, May 17.-Governor Hughes has di-
rected the attention OF the State Health De-
partment toward water pollution and It's dan
gers !n sections other than the Croton district
by ordering State Health Commissioner Porter
10 make an Investigation Of the condition of the
upper reaches OF the Hudson and report before
August 10 This date is set, the understanding
is. because OF the work already being done by
the executive department the conditions eX-
listing in the Croton section
Edward Hatch. jr., representing the special
committee Of the Merchants Association Of New
York City has been active in a campaign against
the pollution of the Hudson He has maintained
that pulp mills and factories empty into the Hud-
son and tributary streams throughout all that
section. pouting 1t hopelessly. Mr.. Hatch called
on Governor Hughes to-day as representative
OF the Merchants Association to urge an official
investigation of DR.. Porter's conduct He pre-
scented q formal communication from the asso-
citation calling attention 10 the publication In
the April Monthly Bulletin, New York State
Department of HEALTH" Of material rejecting
on the Merchants Association. This action is
regarded by many as the first step in a cam
paign against DR.. Porter by this organization.
The Merchants Association has been active in
a widespread agitation against the pollution of
various streams and the protection OF New
York's water supply. In this agitation 1t has
not spared criticism OF the administration Of the
State Health Department. Mr.. Hatch to-day
did not make any denial Of the belief that TO
this could be attributed the reprinting by the
Health Department Bulletin" of the editorial
from Engineering News criticisIng the Mer-
chants Association.
The communication, after referring 10 the
article contained in The Bulletin and quoting
part of the editorial comment, says in part:
AS we understand il, this is an official state
rrlbiico maid for of the treasury or the
state designed solely for the dissemination Of
statistical data and facts which may be OF ser
vice in preserving and guarding the health or
the different communities throughout the state.
II is In the nature Of official state publica-
ton. We. therefore, contend that the mere re-
printing of such editorial as this In such an
official state publication by the State Depart
ment OF Health is unwarranted, improper and
wrong.
In our opinion, this action on the part Of the
Department OF Health is unjust and unwar-
ranted that It should not be permitted TO pass
unchallenged. We therefore call this matter to
your attention with the request that 1t be Of
hcialIy investigated. to the end that proper Of
fetal action should be taken publicly to remove
these Official aspersions against this associa-
ton from the record. and that the official or
officials resp Jnsible for this attack upon the in
telligence and good faith Of this association and
Of its committee should he called to account.
There is an idea abroad here to-day that the
State Health Department may come in for some
investigation after the New York water supply
situation is fully realized by the Governor. A
story connecting the Health Department with
the operations OF firm OF sanitary engineers in
New York City which has been told here is
understood to have been related TO Governor
Hughes. The story runs that plans for sewer
system for the Montefore Home, which is near
the Croton Reservoir, originally prepared by
sanitary engineer named Webster, were
1ected by the Health Department. Then, ac-
cording TO this story the trustees of the Home
were sent in some fashion 10 Herring & Fuller,
in the belief that plans prepared by them would
prove acceptable. Investigation OF this story
showed that plans from Webster and Herring
& Fuller were presented 20 the State Health
Department the Time and were re-
turned with some criticism and the announce
ment that either plan would be acceptable If
these changes were made.