The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-11-11
STERILIZATION
OF SEWAGE WILL
Be ATTEMPTED
Boats viii Experiment With
Plan For Lessening Pollution
of Boundary Waters
JOINT COMMISSION
HOLDS SESSIONS HERE
international Body Declares the
Treaty Between Canada and
United States is Violated

Examination OF William Living
stone, OF Detroit, president OF the
Lake Carriers association, and Fran
els King. OF Kingston, ont. counsel
for the Dominion Marine association.
took up the entire Tuesday morning
session of the international joint com.
mission, appointed by the United
States and Canada to investigate
sources and means OF remedying the
pollution of boundary waters.
As a result OF the commissions de-
alterations IL seems entirely probable
that several vessels managed and OPP
J Grated by the Lake Carriers associa-
ton and the Dominion Marine asso-
citation will be equipped with exper'
mental plants for the sterilization oil
sewage, heretofore dumped into the
lakes and rivers Unfortunately.
In opening the session, James raw-
ney. OF Winona, Mimi, former con-
gresham, and now OF the joint com
mission. called attention 10 the fact
that there Is a treaty between the
United States and Canada. under
which both countries agree that boun-
dairy waters shall not be polluted TO
the danger of health of residents liv-
ing in municipalities along the bor-
ders or of citizens OF either country
taking passage In vessels plying the
Great Lakes. Pollution had been
found TO exist, he said and the COM
n
into the causes OF the pollution and
TO devise ways and means of prevent
ing the same.
THE commission" he said has
employed some thirty competent
chemists, engineers and physicians to
determine the extent OF the pollution
and It's causes. We have come to the
conclusion OF that portion OF the work,
and are now embarking upon the sec
ond phaze of this investigation
"Our authorities have reported 10 us
that the pollution OF boundary waters,
IN ccntravention of the treaty between
the United States and Canada comes
from two sources--from municipalities
located on border waters. and from
vessels plying between Great Lake
ports.
1--WE are now endeavoring to ascer-
tain, through consultation with lead
ing officers of the various offending
municipalities and steamship owners
and operators, n method whereby this
condition can either be wiped out en-
tjrely or reduced to minimum and
for that reason we are here TO confer
with representatives OF both American
and Dominion vessel owners"
Chairman Tawney then paid his re-
spects 10 T. Chase Casgrain. who re-
Gently resigned from the commission
to accept the postmastergenerals
Of Canada. He sympathized, he SAID.
with his fellow commissioners on the
loss of the services of so valuable a
member. and congratulated the Can
adam government upon the addition
of so competent and conscientious d
public servant TO its ranks,
Mr.. Livingstone was the first wit
ness called He began by assuring
The commissioners that the associa-
ton desired TO aid I'm the work in
whatever way was found feasible. but
that he was at loss to understand
lust what information they desired and
iust what methods they wished to
pursue in arriving at solution OF
what, he admitted, is vexing prob
lem.
Chairman Tawney informed the wit
ness that the experts retained by the
commission had found that the two
causes Of pollution from shipping were
the dumping OF raw sewage into lakes
and rivers. especially near intake
pipes of city and village water sys-
tens. and the taking of ballast water
from infected areas and dumping 1t In
localities where the water was pYre,
thus communicating an area which.
under other conditions. would remain
absolutely free of danger TO human
life.
Replying to questions Mr.. Living.
stoono stated that vessel masters
were, so far as he knew. In the habit
of dumping raw sewage indiscrim-
inately. He declared. however, that
IL was his belief that municipalities
we're responsible for at least 30 per
cent OF the pollution of border waters.
while vessels could not be held to ac-
count for more than 10 per cent of II,
II for that much.
The matter of ballast water was. he
admitted, difficult one. Modern
freighters are equipped with ballast
tanks he said, and, when running
light, these tanks are filled with
water before the vessel leaves port.
Upon arriving at it's destination and
preparing to take on a cargo the ball
ast water is pumped out of the tanks.
Usually this Is done while approach
ing the port, but in many cases. II Is
impossible to do so as bad weather
may bring serious consequences to un-
balasted boats.
As TO the drawing OF water for drink
ing and cooking purposes aboard ship.
there is no fixed rule. he said. Wher-
ever possible, however. vessels refuse
To take water from Lake Erie, because
Il Is known TO be contaminated. Many
vessels obtain their water supplies be.
fore leaving port. he said.
In reply to a question from Chair
man Tawney. Mr.. Livingstone declar-
ed that he bad received no report of
epidem'cs OF typhoid on three vessels.
Government reports contain thege
records, according 10 Mr.. Tawneyy
The Lake Carriers association has.
Mr.. Livingstone said. endeavored 10
compel vessel masters 90 keep their
boats in 2 sanitary condition and has
tried TO teach its employees the value
of cleanliness. both aboard and In per-
sonal habits To this end welfare
club and sanitary committee had
beef appointed from among its mem
bcrship, he said.
.Tt Il shown nv eovornn,onf renorts