The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-25
BILL NO. 7O8 Communication from ZaImon GOOdsell to Senator Whit
 comb Bill Would Give State Board of Health Power to InfIict Millions of Debt Upon Cities-A Strong Plea for Home
 Rule

The following communication was delivered to Hon. Joseph Fl. Whit comb on March 19th As the hearing on bill No. 7OS has occurred publica- tion of it may be of interest:
 Senator Joseph H. Whitcomb,
 My Honored Sir:
 Articles published in our different papers request parties interested in Bill No. 7oS to write to their Sena- tors or Representatives urging them to vote for said bill. Although not in favor of said bill, I assume the privilege of also expressing my opin- ion. This bill No. s7O8, is an act concerning the disposal of sewage in inland and tidal waters of the State of Connecticut, It provides that tho State Board of Health shall have ov- ersight of all inland and tidal waters of the State. It provides that if any city, town, corporation or person all lows sewage to be discharged into any stream which the State Board of Health may consider is detrimental to health, they can give orders to have these conditions remedied. The question of what is detrimental to health covers wide field of research. In the minds of bacteriologists and chemists, there are generally many different opinions which may exist as to special conditions In separate com munities. It is a very easy matter to publish broadcast in all the papers of the State that a large majority of the public are thoroughly frightened for fear that many dreaded diseases, with millions of germs, surround them. whereas there is no record available to show that any such con- dition exists. Health statistics from one end of the State to the other, show in comparison as low a, percen- tage of death rate as compiled by any other State in the Union. Our inland cities are gradually planning and building sewer systems adequate for the needs of their several com munities. Cities and towns bordering Long Island Sound are especially pro vided for, having large bodies of salt water for sewering into, making nat ural conditions for the disposal of sewage which cannot be improved up on. Our cities and towns at the pres numbers Board of Health officers, bacterioIogists, chemists, able lengin- eers, and exceptionally intelligent citi- zens, who are fully able to advise and plan for the welfare of their several communities.
 city and our able citizens who take ac- tive parts in the board of Trade, Busi- ness Mems Association, Manufactur- ers' Association, and many other cit lzens who although not identified with these organizations, have the best interest of their city at heart, are fully capable of accomplishing excel ent results with more efficiency for their own city than could possibly be accomplished by members of the Staet Board of Health. who neither live in | nor have any special interest in our | ,ity. If this bill is passed, the State | Board of Health are clothed with un- limited power, and may order and | nave executed extensive sewer con- | .racts in our different cities and towns | which will cost millions of dollars, | part of which sewers might prove in | he future as having been unneeded | md consequently would make an un- necessary and unbearabIe indebted less for the people. We may be obliged at times to acknowledge our ,wn errors. gracefully, but to accept md pay for the errors made by stran- gers, who might be unfortunately in iuenced at times by political pr per onal reasons, Never! What our Deo- ole want is first to be left alone, and 1 lext to enjoy the blessings Of Home Rule. It is sincerely hop-d that our Senator's and Representative will give heir best endeavors to bring that happy event to @ final and successful ssue.
 zALMON GOODsELL.