The Detroit times., 1911-12-28
QEhOUNCES DUMPING OF
SEWAGE INTO WATER SUPPLY
ASSU|CIOE ON LARGE SCALE
Detroit Seriously Menaced by
Pollution of Great Lakes,
Says Buffalo Authority.
NATIONAL BOARD NEEDED.
Conservation of Water Another
Matter That Central Body
Should Control.
NATIONAL BOARD NEEDED.

The habit OF our American cities,
of emptying sewage into and draw
ing drinking water from the same
body or water, is suicide on a large
scale, according to Dr. G.. +. Fell, of
Buffalo, who discusses the advisable
ity OF government control OF the great
hikes, in a recent article in The Jour
nal OF the American Medical Associa-
ton, which publication says editorial
ly:
''Dr. Fell says that the excessively
rapid growth OF the population sur
/. founding the great lakes demands the
prevention OF the befoulement of this
great system OF waterways, and the
subject should be Immediately con-
sidered. In the great cities of Chi
cago, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo
The instructive need is felt of an in
telligent answer as to how we shall
best proceed 10 improve the pres
ent status Sn Impending
disaster through the unwise sanitary
methods now being followed Chicago
has made an attempt to solve the
problem by digging its drainage can
al, an attempt probably unwise for
the reason that the quantity OF water
Is insufficient 10 take care OF the sew
age output of this great city. The
drain OF the waters OF the great lakes
which has been going on for years.
must be more carefully controlled
The conservation OF the water is quite
as important as the conservation of
coal, lumber and other great commo-
dties OF life
Tho ralaao 1annAo ton Of ha for
ests OF the lake regions adds TO the
seriousness of this question. The low
stage of water reported as now exist
ing on the lakes teaches that natural
laws must not be trified with. Sani-
tarily, our present method is suicide
on a great scale, which will increase
apace as the population grows. The
forethought of the nation has been
sleeping instead of attacking vigor
oiisly one of the most important sub
jects In the welfare OF the future mil
lions OF citizens of the states bor-
dering on the, great laIses.--Need wa
ask whether there Is need of CEN
trail medical body to study and con-
troll the conditions urgent as they
are) affecting this important sub
.ect7
"The mere discussion of this great
subject stronly emphasizes that ii is
an argument for the immediate or
sanitation of a national board Of
health Let the several states take
care of the matters of Importance
eithin their borders, such as the con-
troll of streams and rivers that prop
erly come under state jurisdiction.
When, however. the health factors OF
the great rivers OF the country, the
Mississippi. its tributaries, the Mis-
souri,, and others, INTERVIEWING among
many states, are at issue, national
central medical controlling body,
which will assist, guide and not con-
hict with state authority is needed.
with the peculiar condition exist
ing along the great lakes. differing
from any other in the world in their
magnitude and general characteristics
comprising portions OF the states OF
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan. Ohio,
Pennsylvania and New York. with
Canada on the north requiring inter
rational consideration, the force OF
the argument in favor of national
loard of health is overwhelming.