New-York tribune., 1909-05-05
CAN'T STOP POLLUTION.
Governor POzcerlesS to 4ct Unless
Health Is an Danger.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune J

Albany. Nay An spite of the fact that the
Legislature failed adopt the Witter-Wood bill
empowering the State Health Commissioner to stop
pollution of state waters by sewage, or the Bur
Iingame bill which included as well manufacturing
wastes. much criticism is being expressed by pou-
cal opponents Of Governor Hughes because he does
not use his executive powers. Governor Hughes
to-day declined TO discuss this question for publi-
cation. Inquirers were referred his annual mes
sage. which forth his position with ciearness.
The facts seem to be that until legislation
confers powers the State Health Commits
sioner or alters the situation which may Toe referred
to the Governor nothing be done to prevent eN-
tensive pollution legalized specifically by
the enactment of 1903. The Governors opinion is
that he interfere only where imminent danger
to the health or life of community exists. That
opinion also is held by State Health Commissioner
Porter.
Non-acton by the Legislature has not discouraged
Or Porter Though 1t means setback Of year
in che efforts 10 remove pollution and consequent
danger - health from the states water courses, ne
said to-day that he considered even this merely an
incident in the campaign of education which must
be carried before victory be achieved.
7 hope that 10y year the public Will be sutfi
GENTLY aroused 10 the necessity for legislation Of
this character the passage OF this bill or
similar measure" said pT Porter As the law
stands at present the statute passed in 1903 pre-
vents action against municipal or private sewers
discharging into state waters which We're in ok
istence prior to the passage Of that law Ny pow
therefore limited. the powers OF tn" GOV
eruor limited q very large extent, because
he take action only in a case where there IS
imminent danger 20 life and health OF a community"
This subject = a broad to which New York
State seems hardly awake yet" said DR.. Porter
in discussing the danger arising from pollution of
streams. Yet l find that the intelligent people in
all parts Of the taking mp. and strong
sentiment is perCeptnle, which when it becomes a
little older, assuredly viii result in cleansing our
water courses. In France. England and Germany,
where they had the problem longer and where
population much dense than II is with
some of neighboring states too, they have
taken the lead In Pennsylvania, in Ohio and in
Illinois they statutes giving 10 their health
officers powers similar to those which the Nitter
bill would have conferred on this department But
expect to see this take the lead, when once
the danger from present conditions is impressed on
the minds citizens"
The subject went on the Health COMMISSIONS falls
into two divisions-pollution of streams and lakes
from raw sewage. and pollution from manufactur-
ing Raw sewage in stream. sooner or
later means an outbreak Of contagious disease Of
tbs type which has 70 be known as water
borne"-dIphthera, typhoid fever. scarlet fever and
the like. Manufacturing waste, the other hand
may Kill off the fish in a stream, leave deposits Of
disagreeable slime along the banks or cause
putrid odor from the stream when the water is
low. necessarily source Of danger 70
health