Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09
An Ounce of Prevention.

Lack Of adequate regulations to pro-
tect the Capital City against nuisance
industries placed the Commissioners at
4 distinct disadvantage In <neir efforts
to prevent erection and operation Of 4
slaughter house in Northeast Wash
ington.
A hearing Tuesday on the King bill
which would prevent the location OF such
industries in the District-now gives the
Commissioners the opportunity to join
forces effectively with the Federal
agencies already so much concerned over
the threat to National Capital develop
ment contained In the slaughter house
proposal.
The Commissioners are acting in the
best interests Of the community in de-
Gliding to take full advantage OF this
opportunity and to add their testimony
to that which will be given in favor of
immediate enactment of the King bill.
They will be joined by other spokesman
for the community and its local civic Or
CARNATIONS, anxious to prevent what
qualified authorities have already pro-
nounced to be q serious blunder, the
adverse effects Of which will be felt for
years to come.
The interests OF the National Govern
ment and OF the local community are
closely joined in this effort to enact the
King bill. For the Federal Government,
creation Of a blighted area in 4 sec
ton of the city where development has
begun and where future development is
planned, represents 4 lack Of foresight
that must be remedied now, and quickly,
by proper legislation. For the commun-
ity, the people who live here, are threat
ened with variety of nuisances and
their perpetuation for years to come
unless the means are found of heading
them of.
The extent OF pollution of the Ana
costa River, through drainage from the
stockyards and pens-if not from the
slaughter house itself-is a matter that
should concern the health authorities,
both local and of the United States
Public Health Service. There seems to
be some uncertainty over the extent OF
such pollution. There should be no such
uncertainty. 1t is amazing that at this
time, when the people of the District
have spent over million dollars on a
sewage treatment plant in order to end
existing pollution Of the Potomac and
Federal authorities are studying means
Of ending other sources Of river pollu-
ton, there should be even remote pos
sibility Of adding another source of pol
luton to the Anacostia and Potomac
That possibility in itself is enough to
demand searching investigation and re-
port from competent health authorities.
Possibilities of pollution and other
forms Of nuisances, however, are not as
important in themselves as the obvious
fact that slaughter house or any other
nuisance industry should be kept out
side the District of Columbia.
The foothold gained by the present
proposal for . slaughter house rests in
the flimsy argument that the slaughter
house existed on the same site before.
But because pigs once roamed Pennsyl-
vania avenue, does it mean that their
rights to Washington as pig sly are
forever established?
There is no place within the narrow
limits of the District for slaughter houses
and the immediate protection of the King
bill is essential for the prevention of a
hideous mistake.