Evening star., 1938-09-18
Pollution
Continued From First Page.)

in local waters. They presented pro-
gram Of some IS projects prepared by
Maj. John B. Gordon, director of
sanitary engineering. This program
was fully considered at the conference,
Mr.. Ickes having with him several Of
his chief aides and engineering con-
sultants who have been studying sew
age plans in conjunction with District
officials
The question of the District govern
ment expending an additional $4,000
600 to equip the Blue Plains sewage
disposal plant with a unit to provide
secondary treatment is entirely out Of
the picture. The question was consid-
cred at the conference, but Leroy X
Sherman, consulting engineer of the
P. w. A.. agreed with the District SAN
itary engineers that further expendi-
ture at Blue Plains was not feasible at
this time 1t will wait until the pollu-
ton in the Anacostia, particularly. is
cleaned up.
May Use U. S. Funds.
There is possibility that Secretary
Ickes may finance whatever pollution
eradication is proposed for the Rock
Greek area from Federal funds. as it
would greatly benefit Rock Creek Park
and the connecting driveway with
Potomac Park. District engineers have
estimated it would take from 81 900 900
to 100000 to eliminate pollution In
the basin. 1t is very doubtful If the
P. w. A. is prepared to spend any,
where near that amount at this time
on the project.
The Commissioners are none too
anxious to add any more financial
burdens on local taxpayers than pos
sible. Despite their interest and desire
to do something to correct pollution
conditions they are just as anxious for
the P, W. A. to approve some of the
pending applications for local improve
ments which have not yet received IA
vorable action Included among such
projects are eight school buildings,
three branch public libraries, q new
health center and request for funds
10 start the Fort Drive.
The P. w. A. already has approved
local projects involving $13,523,6 in
loans and grants. OF this amount the
District is obligated to repay IS per
cent or approximately $7,438000 It
was not known. whether the Commits
sioners discussed the remaining unal-
lotted projects with Mr.. Ickes but it
is doubtful if they did.
Not Seeking to Dictate.
Mr.. Ickes called yesterdays confer
ence entirely in spirit Of friendliness
and cooperation. He has had his
heart set on the correction of Potomac
pollution since 1893. He is not now
nor has he ever been satisfied with the
efforts undertaken in the District to
abate this nuisance.
In this latest attempt to get at the
bottom Of things, Mr.. Ickes was not
seeking to force his will on the Com
missioners but he was very anxious
indeed 10 find out all he could about
the situation. P. w. A. recently ap-
proved s756,625 in a loan and grant
for series of sewer extensions, some
OF which will help improve pollution
conditions in Rock Creek. Whatever
additional sum he may advance will
be used to carry this necessary work
along oit further.
Mr.. 1ckes was represented as being
OF the opinion that the District needs
extensions of dual sewers, as many of
the streams are now served by COM
blnation sewers which are flooded
during heavy rains and add to pollu-
ton.
1t was expected that yesterdays
conference will be followed by dis
cussion of suburban sewage problems
with Maryland and Virginia officials.
One reason Mr. Ickes had the Com
missioners in at this time is because Of
the need for haste if anything worth
while is to be accomplished. There
are only II work days in which to
act before the deadline imposed by
Congress. After September 80 no
more applications for non- Federal
projects can be received by the P. w. A.
Allotments Of funds, however, may
be made after that date provided the
work proposed can be undertaken
before January !, another congress
sional deadline.
The preliminary court action taken
by the Izaak Walton League followed