Evening star., 1941-09-28
Cochran Sees Potomac River
Potential Fishermen's Haven
Praises Work Done
By Interstate Group;
AssuiIs Pollution
By WILL p. KENNEDY.


The Potomac River could and
should be made the greatest bass
fishing grounds in this country, and
the first step is to eliminate pollu-
ton, says Representative John j.
Cochran of Missouri, lifelong con-
servationist, member of the select
committee on Conservation of Wild
life Resources, and an ardent fisher
man for nearly half century.
Mr.. Cochran applauds the ex-
tensive interstate program for con-
troll of pollution through co-opera-
ton of representatives Of five bor-
dering States. Congress provided
by law for an interstate compact,
to include Virginia, West Virginia,
Maryland, Pennsylvania and the
District of Columbia. This has been
ratified by all except Pennsylvania
and the first meeting was held dur
ing the past week.
Preventing stream pollution is
only one of the duties of this COM
mission" Mr.. Cochran explains
"Other related problems include
food control, water supply, recrea-
tional facilities, etc. I am urging
that priority be given to the ques-
ton of pollution"
Tackled Garbage Disposal.
Some years ago when Maj. John
c. Gotwals was Engineer Commits
sioner of the District, Mr.. Cochran
visited Maj. Gotwal's home to ex-
tend New Year greetings. The
major had been district engineer
in st. Louis, Mr.. Cochran's home
city, and they had worked together
on conservation matters for years.
The major was hard at work despite
the holiday, and was greatly exer-
cised over the situation confronting
the population of Washington.
Major Gotwals said that if some way
to dispose of garbage were not pro-
vided, the health of the people would
be jeopardized.
AS a result. Mr.. Cochran intro
duced bill authorizing the District
Commissioners to borrow approx
mately $9,000,000 for construction of
a garbage reduction plant which
would stop pollution of the Potomac,
at least as far as the District alone
could do it. In the Senate this bill
was loaded with amendments. but
the conferees finally agreed and it
became a law. Shortly thereafter
Maj Gotwals was relieved of duty
on account of serious disability, and
only about half the authorized
amount was borrowed and the plant
was constructed near Alexandria.
IF any one thinks this has elm
mated the pollution of the Potomac
River they are sadly mistaken, as
have advised the District Commits
sioners, especially the Engineer
Commissioner" Mr.. Cochran said
yesterday. "All you have to do is to
drive down the Rock Creek Potomac
parkway in the morning and you
will find the Rock Creek sewer, on
which millions of dollars have been
spent, and the odor will clearly
demonstrate to you that the prob
lem has not by any means been
solved.
Bill Once Vetoed.
Congress has repeatedly been
asked to pass pollution bill. That
measure was at one time vetoed by
the President and opposed 1t be-
cause did not feel that the Federal
Government should by any means
be responsible for the discontinuance
of the pollution Of intrastate
streams. The States, when money
is involved. have a tendency to de-
sire the Federal Government to
shoulder all the expenses and, at
the same time. we hear complaints
about Congress usurping State
rights.
1T is too late now for the Com
missioners of the District to bor-
row the remainder of the amount
authorized under the old law The
Engineer Commissioner maintained
that the amount borrowed would
be sufficient to stop pollution and
it is up to the Engineer Depart
ment of the District government to
make that assertion good We do
not need any interstate commits
sion, insofar as the District of