Evening star., 1925-06-08
PLANS COMPLETED
FOR SURvEf|0 END
POLLUTION Of RIVER
U. S. and District Health Of
ficiaIs Seek Means to Make
Potomac Safe.

Plans for the survey of the Potomac
River to determine what steps. II any,
may be taken to reduce the pollu-
ton of the river near Washing
ton, so that the people of the city
may use the river for outdoor bath
ing. have practically been completed
by the United States Public Health
Service, which will conduct the sur
vey with the cooperation of the health
officer of the District, DR.. William c.
Fowler.
Assistant Sanitary Engineer A. F.
Allen, who is now at Corpus Christi.
Tex, has been ordered here to take
part in the survey. He will have
charge Of the work under the direc-
ton of Surg. George w. Mccoy,
director of the hygienic laboratory
When DR.. Allen reaches Washington
the survey will be undertaken ac-
lively, and will proceed probably until
September. He has had much ex-
perience in the study Of river pollu-
ton and the problem which 1t pre-
sents.
Surg. Gen. Hugh S. Cumming of
the Public Health Service said today
that he had been more impressed
than ever, since the present hot
weather descended upon Washington,
of the need of providing outdoor
bathing facilities for the people of
the District. He pointed out that
many persons are using the river
and creeks about Washington, not
withstanding danger from drowning
and from disease due to pollution of
the water.
The survey should show conclu-
siyely what may be done to mini
mize the pollution of the river so
the people of the District may enjoy
the use of the great river that flows
by their doors. 1t may show that
additional sewers and interceptors
are needed, and if so these should be
provided by Congress when 1t meets
next year. Congress doubtless will
tackle the District bathing problem
in earnest, and it should have full
information regarding the Potomac
River at hand when it undertakes to
make provision for public bathing
beaches here.
The survey will show, too, whether
some parts of the river are today
free enough from pollution to be rea-
sonably safe for bathing purposes.
Engineer Commissioner Bell today
suggested that the Brightwood Reser-
voir, on Sixteenth street, might be de-
sirable for conversion into a swim
ming pool when 1t is abandoned by
the water department in 1927.
While this proposal has no bearing
on the question of safeguarding bath
ers this Summer 1t was mentioned by
Col Bell as a possible development
6a Sid in diSN1ICGtnp
to be done for the future.
Urges Beach at Annacostia.
The Engineer Commissioner also
declared he would like to see provi-
sion made for bathing in connection
with the development of the Anacos-
tia Park, along the eastern end OF the
city.
Officials at the District Building
said today that they are leaving to
the Office of public buildings and
grounds for consideration the ques-
ton of what SHOULD be recommended
to Congress in the next budget for
bathing beach facilities to take the
place of the Tidal Basin beach, which
was closed this Summer by the action
of Congress in declining to provide
the funds for its operation.
The COMMISSIONER uo"CfCi, OIL .
keenly interested in the discussion OF
Washington's bathing needs, which
have been emphasized by the number
of drownings that have occurred in
the past week, including several boys,
who were seeking relief in the river
from the heat.
The Brightwood reservoir, near the
entrance to Rock Creek Park, Is to
be discontinued for the storage of city
water as soon as the new conduit and
reservoirs are completed.
Some Changes Necessary.
There already has been discussion
of the advisability of converting the
reservoir into an athletic stadium, but
Col. Bell today put forth the idea of
looking to this reservoir as a possible
bathing pool development. The reser-
voir would probably have to be al
tered as to depth and slope for bathing
purposes should 1t be decided to use
1t in that way.
The Commissioners at their board
meeting tomorrow probably will pass
upon the recommendation of Mrs.
Rhodes that sprinklinS apparatus be
attached to fire hydrants in the
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