Evening star., 1938-08-26
CIVIC GROUP ASK
ACTION TO CHECK
RIVER POLLUTION
Favor Obtaining of Loan
From P. W. A. to Help in
Maryland Work.
CONDITION OF STREAMS
is CITED AT MEETING
Now Is 0pportune Time to Have
Plant Erected, Walton League
Leader Declares.

More than 100 interested citizens and
representatives of over 80 Montgomery
and Prince Georges County (Md) civic
associations strongly urged the WASH
ington Suburban Sanitary Commission
to rid nearby rivers and streams of
pollution by obtaining an ample loan
from the Public Works Administration
at meeting at the Jesup Blair Com
munity House. in Silver Spring last
night.
A resolution, introduced by w. F.
Mulligan of the Prince Georges County
Chamber of Commerce, and adopted
unanimously. urged that the commits
sion take advantage of the opportun-
ity to obtain funds from the P. w. A.
with which to finance construction of
a sewage treatment plant and other
needed improvements to eliminate
pollution in all streams in both coun-
ties"
Abner L. Rowe, chairman of the
Pollution Committee of the Izaak Wal
ton League, emphasized that the P
w. A. would give an outright grant
OF As per cent and long-term loan
for the remaining SIS per cent of the
sum obtained
He estimated sewage disposal plant
would cost between sl,7o0,OOO and
S2,0OO,OO0.
Can Borrow IA Per Cent.
The Sanitary Commission he said,
"is authorized by law to issue bonds
or borrow against the assessed property
within the area which it serves.
This property is assessed at about
S1l8,000,000," he added, land the
commission can borrow up to IA per
cent of this amount, or a total of
about sl6,000,00O. 1t now has some
S12,000,000 in bonds outstanding, but
there is nothing to prevent its borrow
ing 100000 or 100000 more, if
1t so desires"
Mr.. Rowe said a treatment plant
was needed badly at Colmar Manor
or Bladensburg, to take care of the
waste now emptied into the Anacostia
River from that section. He described
the AnacoStia River as an open
sewer"
The other streams which are badly
IN need of purlfication are Rock Creek
and Little Falls Greek, he said.
Mr.. Rowe said Rock Creek and other
streams were in such a condition that
1t was not permissible for children
even to wade in them.
If they received a cut on the foot
the children might suffer serious in
lection because of the impurity Of the
water" he said.
The speaker complimented Arling-
ton County, Va, on its progressive
ness IN taking care of pollution" and
said an improved condition for Alex
andria would be urged at a special
meeting of the Town Council on Sep
tember 13.
Rockville, which has a sewage dis
posal plant Of its own, not being in
cluded in the sanitary commission dis
trlct, is drawing plans for new and
improved plant and hopes to app:< to
tse P. w. A. for a loan before the
oeadllne for applications, September
30, Mr.. Rove said.
Paul Coughlan, a member of the
Montgomery County Board of Com
mlssioners and representing the Wood
Size Cltlzens' Association. said his as
sociation would back the cleanup
move 100 per cent.
Called Opportune Time.
DR.. William B. Holton, president of
the Bethesda Chevy Chase branch of
the 1zaak Walton League, who called
the meeting, declared, This is the
most opportune time to do this thing
that has to be done sooner or later
1t now can be accomplished at a
lower price with the aid of the P. w.
A." He urged that the delegates re-
turn to their communities and bring
all the pressure you can toward this
end on the sanitary commission"
He pointed out that the Waltonians
we're to appear before the sanitary
commissioners on September 9 at an
executive hearing, at which time it
was expected definite plans would be
laid before them. I'VE hope to get
under the P. w. A. deadline," he said
DR.. Holton said obtaining of the
P, w. A. money would cause no in
crease in the front foot property
values, but that the loan" part of
the Federal funds probably would have
to be paid back through a small in
crease in the general tax rate.
Vincent Osterman, Bladensburg
town commissioner, described that
town as victim of conditions and
urged that the commission do some
thing now"