New Britain herald., 1926-09-22
TELLS OF FIGHT ON
 STREAM POLLUTION
George I. Kimban Describes . Efforts in 15 Years

EIortS or the state or CohneCtlCuL to eliminate stream pollution and to make the waters of the state fit for fish to live in were explained to the Kiwanis club today by George T. Kimball, president of the American Hardware corporation and mem- Der of the state water board.
 Mir. Kimball In his address, said: About Is years ago the subject Of pollution of the waters of the state became serious. The agitation be- gan with the fisheries industry, spread first among sportsmen and then to various health officials. The legislature in 1913 referred the mat ter to the state department Of health, which reported to the gen. eral assembly of 1915.
 This report is a very able treatise on the streams of the state, and pointed out particularly that at that time only three large cities treated their sewerage in any manner be- fore discharging 1t into the rivers. Attention was also called to the in- dustrial wastes, which were thrown into the streams without any effort at naturalization. These wastes were particularly offensive from breweries, textile mills, soap factor ies and laundries. Little mention was made of discharge from metal works, although it was stated that pickling wastes rendered water un- fit for fish life. Paper mills, con- mercial laundries and dye works were said to cause very offensive pollution.
 The report recommended the ap- nointment of a commission further to study this problem.
 The publicity given to the re- port of the state board of health gave grave concern to the citizens and lawmakers of our state. some desired that the streams be puriflec at whatever cost to industry; some thought nothing Should be done tt increase industryS burden or to in crease taxes. Others thought tha the matter should be carefully con sidered with due regard to the right Of all, and the legislature Of l9l' passed a law instructing the stat beard of health to furnish prope assistance to those desirous Of Tn stalling refuse disposal plants, pu took no further action.
 More vigorous agitation of tn question induced the legislature O 1917 to create the industrial waste board, with an appropriation for tn continuance of the work Of tn board of health. On this board wer two manufacturers and some Of tn best engineering heads in the stat' Although the work was carried o by the board with splendid and com prehensive skill, the result of thel operations was not satisfactory, | those attacked. Their investigate showed that the offensive pollutlo came chiefly from domestic sewag' This was displeasing to the munlc pal powers, who didn't want to spen money for disposal plants. They ais demonstrated that some industrli wastes delayed the decomposition household sewage and recommends that the factories neutrallze the effluents before permitting them enter water ways. This was dl! pleasing to those factories who wei adverse to spending the money i( equipment for the purpose and WI thought that a water way was
 natural sewer anyway. No pow had been given the board to entor' any cleaning-up methods 1t mig suggest, This board, however. accon plished much in bringing to the g tention of everybody the need of T form, and many factories Volunta ily installed systems for reducir the stream pollution.
 "The legislature of 1921 created commission to investigate furth and recommend legislation. No al propriation was given, and the men bers travelled largely at their ON expense, This commission was con posed of those who had considerap experience on previous commission The work of these boards was viewed and bill was introduce which, In the opliloh oA 'Ao sion, would make beginning Tn u matter. The bill covered all class of sewage, household and industrl; This measure wassrejected and
 substitute was passed attacking l dnstrial wastes only If this bill h; been signed and enforced, many Ia tories in the state would have pe obliged to close their doors. It W wisely vetoed by the governor.
 "The legislature of 192b passed hill creating a state water board
 three. A decent appropriation W made. The board has wide aothe ity to investigate, recommend d enforce its rulings. So broad are
 powers that it might well hesitate it's proceedings, and great care n been taken to avoid any appearan of coercion. The personnel co