Evening star., 1947-09-15


empty countless millions of tons of the best top
soil into our streams the crest of floods.
Streams of yesterday that flowed serenely with
pristine clearness today have become periodic
ally raging torrents laden with the best topsoil
With reference to the Potomac River Valley
watershed, the problem Is particularly acute
from the point of soil erosion soil pollution
and periodic floods. Floods are dreaded not
only by farmers living the shores of the
river but also by municipalities and business
enterprises who look to the river to supply
water and sewer systems and for various COM
mercial purposes.
In recent years it has been almost impossible
to interest our people in purchasing home sites
on the river for recreational purposes be-
cause of pollution and floods, yet the river in
it's natural state might offer advantages un-
surpassed anywhere in the country from the
point of view of health and wholesome diver
sion. The National Geographic Magazine sew
eral years ago in an excellent article designated
it The River of Destiny" If it has been a
River Of Destiny" or is to become such again.
much will depend upon what we are going to
do today. This Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin must join hands not
only with municipalities and with industry, Of
which we already have very active and
energetic committee, but also with agriculture
and it's various departments or bureaus from
the most highly trained scientist to the farmer
to assist us with the problems of flood control
and pollution. This will require research, refor.
estation, systematic contour farming, and per-
NIT also of the restoration Of fish and wildlife.
But men of science in agriculture and public
health must look beyond the problems of
pollution and flood control to find out more
4. Ni~..
the ravages of floods have passed, for here
the life Of our people and the future of the
Nation are in jeopardy. Are eroded soils suit
able for the growth of foodstuffs from the point
of nutrition and ultimately the perpetuity Of
our race OF men? If soil erosion is permitted
to continue, will the next generation possess
the strength and stamina OF the present gener-
alton? These are question of local, State and
national Importance.
Quotes Authorities on "Inadequate Rations."
DR.. Thomas Parran, jr., surgeon general,
United States Public Health Service in
series of lectures on general nutritional def
cheney and national health, wrote: Dietary
deficiency is widespread and serious, with more
than 40 per cent OF the population on inade-
quate rations. . The fertility of the soil in
f1uences the food value of crops grown on it,
Animals feeding upon depleted soils produce
depleted milk Thus soil conservation has
a direct relationship to nutritional status"
In an interesting and timely address entitled
conserving Our Heritage Of Productive Land
DR.. Hugh H. Bennett chief of the Soil Con-
servation Service, states: Many people are
INTENTIONALLY hungry because too much of their
food is grown on land deficient in available
plant nutrients of the kind that produce rich
foods We should consider the fact that when
topsoil is permitted to wash or blow of. the
process takes the whole soil and all it contains,
including the elements Of nutrition"
Dr. Russell M. Wilder, head of the Depart
ment of Medicine. Mayo Foundation closely
connects soil erosion with national life and
depeners ton of ancient civilizations as follows: