New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-13
Sewage Plant Campaign
May Keep Hospital Shut

The campaign regarding the erection
of the sewage disposal plant for the
Yorktown Heights Training School and
the Mohansic Hospital for the Insane,
according TO DR.. Hermann NJ. Biggs.
State Commissioner of Health, will GO
nothing but delay the opening OF the
latter institution year if it succeeds.
In statement issued yesterday Or.
Biggs declared tnat the campaign wac
based on a distortion of the facts and
that there was an apparent effort TO
misconstrue Governor Whitman's APP
proval OF the plans as a breaking Of
faith with the city authorities.
Or. Briggs set forth eight points
which he said he thought were gener-
ally misunderstood. First, he said, the
selection of the sites on the Croton
watersheds for the two institutions
was made six years ago. Plans for the
sewage disposal plants were approved
by the State Board of Health only
after they had been recommended by
experts.
Fourth, the Commissioner said, the
trunk sewer proposal advanced as
means of preventing the pollution of
this city's water supply was dangerous,
as a break in the pipe line would be
serious. Fifth. the department APP
proved the pipe line plan only in con-
junction with a chlorination plant.
Sixth, the approval of the Governor
does not change the situation and does
not mean that any effluent from the
plant will reach this city's water sup
ply. Seventh, no additional appropria-
ton will be necessary TO construct the
plant, and, finally, there is need for the
opening of the Mohansic Hospital to
relieve overcrowding here.
Problems dealing with the American
mercantile marine were discussed at
the opening session Of the academy's
conference. which was held yesterday
afternoon in Earl Hall at Columbia
University. "The Development of
American Shipping" was the topic OF
discussion in the morning. and "Amerl-
can Foreign Trade and Transportation
Relations" in the afternoon. Professor
Edwin r. A. Seligman, of Columbia,
presided at the first session and Pro
lessor Henry R. Seager, of Columbia,
at the second.
An attack on the La Toilette sea-
mems bill was made by Welding Ring,
chairman of the committee on foreign
commerce and revenue laws of the
Chamber of Commerce. He denounced
the bill as one of the most unfortunate
ever enacted by Congress.
Mr.. Ring advocated the creation of a
shipping board somewhat similar to
the British Board of Trade. the
prompt suspension of the seamen's law
or its immediate repeal and the enact
ment of a new law which would elimi-
nate the Objectionable features of the
present law, the ending of the agita-
tion for government ownership OF mer-
chant vessels and legislation to safe
guard investments in shipping.
Bernard H. Baker, of Baltimore.
spoke on the Present Problems OF
American Shipping" He advocated
the appointment Of a national merchant
marine board. with broad powers and
ample appropriations.
Gerard Henderson, editor OF The
Harvard Law Review" advocated regu
lation similar 20 that exercised by the
Interstate Commerce Commission over
railroads and a gradually increasing
amount OF public ownership and opera
ton Of steamship lines.
Willard D. Straight and Eugene P.
Thomas. president OF the United States
Steel Products Company. urged govern
ment support 20 the bankers and manu-
facturers in their efforts 20 promote
foreign trade in China.