Evening star., 1935-12-24


taken for use in the home.
States Almost Helpless.
States have attempted to solve
these problems by passing pollution
control laws, but their enforcement
has often been ineffective, first be-
cause of inadequate funds. and sec
ond because the States soon come to
realize that neighboring States are
dumping pollutants into streams so
rapidly that regardless of their own
house cleaning, pollution constantly
increases. A drifting attitude has re-
suited, and the need for vigorous ac-
ton becomes more apparent daily.
Legal actions by one State against
another for dumping pollution into
interstate streams have been attempt
ed but have been discouraged by the
Supreme Court for reasons convinc-
ingly set forth by the late Mr.. Justice
Holmes Attempts to establish uni
form laws against polluters, applicable
to various States, have also been
tried sporadically throughout the
country, but with little or no success.
Formation of compacts between
States on an interstate stream have
been encouraged, but not successfully
tested. Such compacts are permis-
sible under the Constitution, and
must be authorized and approved by
Congress and also by the State Legls-
latures. There are no such compacts
in relation to pollution control alone
in existence, but in some of the irri-
gions pollution control enters into the
agreements. In these districts the
Importance of water is emphasized by
need for agriculture and human con-
sumption. In less arid regions,
where compacts or voluntary agree
have failed of accomplishment or
have not been entirely satisfactory.
Tri-State Pact Weighed.
New York, New Jersey and Connec-
ticut are now in the process of enter
ing into a compact under authorize
ton by the last session of Congress,
but it remains to be seen just how
successful this effort will be.
There is not a great deal of infor-
nation from foreign countries on
which we can base some new plan,
with definite assurance of success. al
Though England and Germany have
gone much further than other coun-
tries IN cleaning up their streams.
Germany endeavorS to prevent pollu-
ton with proper laws before the
streams are actually defiled. StreSSing
the Importance of prevention. rather
than cure. Once their streams have
been contaminated, they are cleaned
up by a procedure and financing
whereby industries. municipalities
and waterworks associations become
members of a sanitary water district.
Industries and municipalities outside
of the district and not members. may
be compelled to pay their share of
| the costs if they receive benefits from
the works Of the district or contribute
to the pollution Moreover, Germany
has made a scientific study of sewage
treatment. so that waste matter
which formerly was dumped into
streams is now converted into usefu!
by-products. Some cities have in
stalled equipment which changes sew
age into gas for fuel. and into soaps
and oils foI other uses by the city
/ governments. thus greatly curtailing
their expenditures for these necesSi-
ties. Many German industrialiSts
who were formerly noted polluters
have noted the results and have found
that they can convert their plant
wastes into by-productS which more
than pay for the cost of necessary
equipment in some cases.
More than a year ago I saw the
problem of pollution control in the
United States become somewhat of a
national emergency. 1 called con-
/ ference Of experts to meet in WASH
ington with the Secretary of War.
The conference selected committee
of five persons to draft a plan for
transmittal to the President.
Two Plans Worked Out.
The committee divided its opinion
on two plans, one of which favored
a continuation of the present plan of
encouraging cooperation between the
States by compacts or agreements, and
the other plan favoring vigorous
program by the Federal Government
to supplement State activities. The
Federal plan boldly asserted the su-
premacy of the Federal jurisdiction
over the interstate navigable waters
and of the tributaries thereof, from
which pollution is carried or washed
into the navigable portion of the
stream. 1t contended that the con-
troll now exercised by the Federal
Government over water pollution does
not rest in the commerce clause Of
the Constitution alone, but is found
also in the admiralty and maritime
jurisdiction clause. the welfare clause,
the migratory bird treaty and the
power to protect national fisheries.
The report of the Federal plan also
included a specific recommendation
for necessary laws to make it effective.
Following our Washington confer
ence, the National Resources Board,
through its advisory committee on
water pollution, made detailed study
Of the subject and recently published
a preliminary report which contains
much useful information and many
helpful recommendations The report
admits that ION the whole the settle
ment of interstate controversies relat-
ing to the use or control of water, in
Guiding its pollution, is not handled
on a satisfactory basis"
The report favors further tests by
the Federal Government in the for