Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19

An alarming condition of the waters
of the Potomac River around Wash
ington is disclosed in report by the
District Health Department. This
states that the pollution of the river
is such as to cause asphyxiation of
fish. and also is detrimental to the
hulls of vessels.
Recently this column requested DR..
William C.. Fowler, District health
officer. to have an analysis made of
the waters OF the Georgetown channel
For some time past a greenish-yellow
foam has been covering the river from
shore TO shore, and It was this sub
stance along with other samples that
was anaiyized.
The report was not surprise to
this column, as the gradually decreas-
ing number of fish in the Potomac Is
significant.
DIR. Fowler has submitted the re-
port to Maj. and Superintendent OF
Police Hesse, who has given an as
surance of prompt action under au-
thority Of section 9o1 Of the District
code. This reads:
How the Law Reads.
'No person shall allow any tar, oil,
ammoniacal liquor, or other waste
products of any gas works or works
engaged in using such products, or
any waste product whatever of any
mechanical, chemical, manufacturing
or refining establishment to flow into
or be deposited in Rock Creek or the
Potomac River or any of its tribu
taries within the District of Columbia
or into any pipe or conduit leading to
the same.
1.-THE prohibition Of this section is
general and unqualified and applies
TO all alike"
If the water is such as to cause
asphyxiation of fish and prove harm
fuI to the bottoms Of boats, is assured
it's effect on bathers in the Potomac
below the Aqueduct Bridge is dele
terious.
For some time past smelt have been
scarce. il being almost impossible tc
get any of them. and those Melted died
before they could be transferred tt
live. bait boxes. Not only the smelt
but the bull and pike minnows are
suffering the same fate.
Those in charge Of the baitbox al
the Tidal Basin have been unable tc
provide minnows for the anglers be
cause they would all die in about q
hours. VIII Reynolds, who has beer
supplying local anglers with live bait
for years past told this column last
week that he has lost thousands OF
minnows this Spring for the same
reason.
Fish Scarcity Reported.
The United States Bureau OF Fi2l
cries only last week called on ReyEoid:
for a report on the shad and herrins
in the upper river this Spring. Hi!
answer was that these fish had beer
scarcer this year than ever before
There is no denying the fact tina
unless some remedial action Is taker
quickly, fishing in the Potomac
around washington soon will be {
thing Of the past.
Every State in the Union has
battle on it's hands TO prevent pollu
ton Of its streams. State Legislature
have taken up the matter and passe'
laws to prevent pollution. and tn
Izaak Walton League Of America /
waging q bitter fight against it. Her
IN the Nations Capital, a city notet
for it's beauty. a city with very few
factories, is a condition as bad as tina
which prevails in a big industrial
center. where all kinds of chemical
are emptied into streams. In som
Of our inland streams where years ag
fiS1 me was aDhnuantt pointed waite
has entirely exterminated the fish life
and the same thing will be true of tn
Potomac unless immediate steps ar
taken to prevent it. The battle i
the States against water pollution nov
has TO be fought in the District O
Columbia. That the fight viii b
successful there is no doubt.
The Virginia season for catchin
bass opened last Wednesday. AS
the case of Maryland, whose laws r.
garding fishing We're published in TIL
star on June l, Virginia requires Il
license TO fish in her waters where III
tide Gibbs and flows but does aboS
that point. A Virginia. fishing licens
costs $3.50 and can be obtained at sc
eral of the local sporting goods store
This column is seeking TO hay
Maryland licenses placed on sale
the District for the convenience
local anglers. So far this has prove
q much more difficult task than it We
20 obtain the same privilege from vi