The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-21

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counties, Lake. Vigo, Marion 81.
Joseph, and Vanderburg, faVorlng
anti-pollution measures in the next
legislature that claws could be put
in laws 10 end the Tavishment OF
bOunteous pools Of bluegills ana
the infesting Of river and lake bath
ing spots with diseases ranging tho
medical alphabet
Pursue Two Courses
Two courses are being pursued by
two divisions Of the state govern
ment to bring about firm obedience
to conservation and health laws.
The first course, under the saai-
tary division Of the state board Of
health board, led by L. A. Geupel,
chief engineer, is the mandating or
ordering OF cities, as well as indus
tries. 10 abate pollution. Mr.. Geupel
has given numerous cities in the
state orders TO cOntruct sewage dis
posal plants and abate injury to
public health by pouring streams Of
wastes into rivers.
A test case on his order of abate-
mcnt is pending against Fl. Wayne
in the Allen county circuit court. A
motion for a change of venue TO an
other county will be argued this
fall.
Precedent May Be Set
II the health board wins it will
set a precedent, providing the state
supreme court uphOlds the ruling,
that will give at least one set Of
jaw-teeth TO the states pollution
laws.
other cities, where orders al
ready have been given, then may
be expected TO fall into line and,
instead OF spending the taxpayers
money to fight the states mandate,
use the legal expense toward the
construction of sewage disposal
works.
The second course is being taken
by the conservation department
under Mr.. Simmons and Mr.. Kun
kel. with w. H. Frazier, sanitary en-
gineer of the department, directing
the field work.
That course is to visit leading
manufacturers, as well as municipal
tiles, and attempt to educate them
to the saving in health, recreation,
COntentment, as well as property,
in keeping the rivers and streams
clean.
Survey to BE Made
Mr.. Frazier is, at work on render
ing plants. StrawbOard factories,
Canneries. and other chief polluterS
OF the states rivers.
Within the next few weeks he will
make a survey of the damage being
done by brewers and distillerS to
fish life as well as to swimming
waters.
DiStillerieS at Lawrenceburg.
shown to be polluting a creek during
the recent series of The Times. will
be one of the places investigated by
Mr.. Frazier.
Correction Of rendering plant
wastes is now under consideration of
the state health board, state veteri-
nary. as we'll as Mr.. Frazier.
The conservation departments
engineer, in making recommended
tiOns for aboliShing rendering plant
wastes says:
Peak Of production of these plants
usually is during the warm months
when water is low in streams and
lakes. Conditions in many cases
amount to a nuisance and affect
health. agriculture, and aquatic
life"
Fines Are Slight
He proposes that the process of
evaporation be used to end the
plant waste.
He further urges that plants fall
ing 10 install the system have their
license revoked by the state veterl-
marian.
The present Indiana law as it ap-
plies 10 pollution, both from the
violations touched in the state
health departments domain and
that OF the fish and game division
Of the conservation department, are
for the most part slight fines OF ap-
proximatelv an average Of $50 for
each violation through a public
nuisance.
Factories, as well as munich
palities. find IL easier. or at least in
their mind it is easier. TO pay the
court fines, and hire attorneys to
- q ION
Authority is divided in keeping
the streams clean. and in the realm
of industrial pollution, unless it
seriously affects public health, the
health board is pOwerleSS to act.
The conservation departments
law Is weak.
Propose New Department
Ohcials Of the conservation de-
partment. therefore. propose the
creation Of a new department, SINH
lar TO one in Maryland. which
would be known as the water re-
sources commission"
This commission not only would
have power 10 act in all pollu-
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lakes but deal with dams and the
keeping of streams at proper levels.
The department would be a court |
which without interfering with
riparian rights would preserve
streams intact for the public good. I
Farmers living along streams would
be the only ones that would have /
prior rights over the streams.
The commission would prevent in
duStr1es from making rivers a haven |
OF bacteria. odorS. and Sludge beds. /
Hinges on Big Five"
II is hoped that il would restore
the historical streams of song and
Indian lore 10 the fisherman. the
summer vacationiSt. the farmer. as
well as giving industry its boiler