New Britain herald., 1926-03-17
POLLUTED RIVERS
 MENACE ID STATE
Factory Waste Killing Life in
 Streams, Minister Says

The streams ot Connecticut are
 polluted and the pollution is in
 creasinS but nothing as yet has been
 done to put a beginning 10 the end ot the pollution" declared Rev. Charles L, Riggs Of Gulford. who spoke last night before tho Exchange club at their regular weekly meeting in the Burritt hotel.
 The condition Of the streams has been brought 70 the attention Of the
 board Of health" he continued. but nothing has been done, have ap-
 reared before them myself md told them Of the deplorabe conditions, but they have done nothing, and why? simply because the members Ios tho state board of health do not hold office by virtue ot civil service but instead by reason Of favor.
 'ln 1915 nearly all the streams of CoNn"cticut were reported as being polluted, and since then the sta'e legislature has made ner laws, re. pealed ol dones and created new commissions, but very little has hecn done to relieve the situation. IL Is true that an appropriation of S?i,nho was made 10 take care of redeeminc the useful clements of industrial waste. and that appropriation. wus later increased "a $50, 0oo, but noth- ing has been done to relieve pollu- tton.'
 He pointed out that the population ot the state has increased al q more rapid rate than thn development of the sewerage system, and he said that most cities pour their waste into the nearest streams, The siru- ation has become worse he stated, since factories have started 10 throw their chemical waste into the streams. This ho pointed out kills the fish,
 NO shad come into our rivers now" the speaker insisted "anl th" rollution has Sont into the Sound so that shell fish arc now under suspicion. There were formerly thousands Of men in Connecticut who made their living from fishing. hut there arc hardly any who make their living now by such an occupa- ton, They are as scarce as hens teeth"
 He pointed out that the Housatonic river is now so por cent polluted. and in four more years the pollution Vill be 100 per cont if nothing is done. He said that pollution is near inc danger point In the state, and chemical engineers find fl increas- iucly difficult 10 secure water suit able for drinking purposes.
 "Is there q way out ." he asked
 Yes. there is. London has cleaned Dp polluted streams. SO it lios within the power Of Connecticut Sanitary engineers have formulated plans whereby every factory that dis charges wastes shall hay" one sewer for domestic waste. and a separate sewer for industrial wastes,
 "Thc chemical elements in the in 1usjrtol wastes are treated with chemicals SO that the industrial VI aste is raudcred innocuous, and then it is mixed with inc domestic wastes. r means "Npense--it means .Iore expense, hut it can hr done,
 Rev. Mr. Riggs declared that the pleasure of fishermen and amateur .portsncn Is hoine spoiled because |! 10 more can fish he caught in the l ,ivcrs of ConrectcNe that are ft 10 ] -at. He characterized some rivers l< 'stinkinE scWrrS.'
 The speaker was introduced by 1 "harles $. Bradiny
 Pr"si1on' Edward II. Christ said 1 hal on next Monday tho club would | !" hosts 10 participating members of hn Community Drive, who will meet or noon day disoussion, The "cular Tu"aiay meeting will he liwnated. Charles Bradley has vol 10 captain the EAchanre | luh 'aam in the drive and !" asked or 1'e nlen 70 conp!a'o fhe team Of h" club must produce.
 "" said tE&' ''r h\cNIn-o NlUh ram will oanNosS thn sixth ward
 in 'ha kiwanis and Ea"us club nd tho quota which has ben as irnrd them iS $1,G0o.
 Fresid"nt Christ told thc m'mhars hat on April h, the Exchange clubs f Conn""ticut will unite fin Ciyirs
 program through radio station FTIC, Hartford. President Calvin oolidee has prepared a message 10 is fellow Exchange club members, nd the message will he read by -overnor John H, Trumbul 10 the aiio audience. The S"ronaders will Irnish New Britain's part of the n'ertainment.
 Earlier in the evening meeting f tho clubs in tho state will he held the Hartford club, at Uhirh the 1dio performers will eivo n recital -Fr .s,