The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-01-22
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STATE OF 1NDIANA
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

indianapolis, Jan. 21,1so9.
Editor THE TINES, Hammond, Ind.
Dear sir-Mr. Charles Friedrich
called upon me this morning in regard
to the pollution situation at Ham
mond He handed me a copy of your
paper in which you have printed my
former letter Our conversation has
brought up some further facts It
seems, according to Mr.. Friedrich. that
your board of works some time in the
past permitted the construction of a
sewer which furnished the means
through which the pollution of the
lake is made possible. AS I understood
it, Mr. Friedrich says permission was
given to build this sewer across a
street If the situation is as stated,
thenr it is plain that the city of Ham
mond has brought some trouble upon
itself by lack of foresight in the past.
Why Bill Was Opposed.
II have reviewed with Mr.. Friedrich,
the fact that the state board of health
has no power to bring suits in the
courts This power was particularly
denied the board because of the fear
of oppression of the people. At least,
this was the evasion given by those
who opposed the bill.
'"The state board of health has been
aware for years that the time was com
ing when the Indiana cities on the
lake would suffer on account of pollu-
ton Fully appreciating this fact last
year the state board sent two experts
and made sanitary survey Of the lake,
from the Illinois boundary line to
Michigan city. We knew some day, the
evidence which we were gathering,
would be valuable, if not in court. then
to convince the people of the necessity
of being forehanded and doing some
things necessary for their pecuniary
profit and the saving of their health.
This is all we could do under the law
and now, we are ready. We have upon
our records tangible analysis and can
come into court at any time to prove
the polluted conditions of Lake Michi-
gan So you see, our forethought has
prepared US to help you whenever you
are ready under the laws OF the state
to rise up and fight.
Similar Conditions Elsewhere.
| TN my former letter 1 called at
tention to the fact that I wrote an anti
pollution bill and introduced it into the
1 legislature of 1901 Had that bill
passed this situation at Hammond
| could have been controlled by the
state board of health We were de.
nounced as cranks and desirous of seiz-
| ing power with which to oppress the
people. Although we sent out letter,
all over the state and I signed then
myself requesting the support of th'
people not a single business man mol
any one came to help us. OF course
the bin failed. Now the same bill. es.
sentially. is introduced again. It is ia
( thered by Hon. H. l. McGnnis, repre-
sentative from Morgan county. 1t pass
ed the committe last night and th'
question is, Will it now pass through
the legislature and become a law?' 1
/ will not become law if the people
do not favor it and demand its pas
sage Here is an opportunity for Ham
mond and other cities to do them
selves a great good The people o
Martinsville. now that indianapolis
sewage is dumped on them at the rat'
of 1000. 600 day are at last aroused
and they are willing to help us secur'
relief for them If the people living OF
the lake. and those living in cities
and towns upon our streams, will no