Evening star., 1947-09-24
PoIIutionContro|
Action Is Taken
In Maryland
Commission Adopts
; Resolutions on
Purifying Waters
D.
By J. B. Zotmon
Sfor Staff correspondsn.

Stor stoff Correspondent
BALTIMORE, Sept. 24.-Movins
ahead in its program to eliminate
pollution in Maryland streams, the
States Water Pollution Control
Commission yesterday adopted three
resolutions aimed at purifying Mary
and waters.
The actions were taken at the
commissions meeting in the State
Health Department Offices here.
In one resolution, the commission
decided to proceed against individual
industries and municipalities by is
suing orders to stop pollution and
allowing certain time within which
remedial action must be taken.
Second Resolution Approved.
In another resolution, the group
approved a regulation prohibiting
future industrial and housing prof.
ects from discharging waste, chemi-
calls, garbage and oecaying organic
into streams, unless per-
nitted to do so by the commission.
The third resolution was aimed at
steamships and prohibited them
from discharging oil in Maryland
waters.
DR.. Joseph H McLain, commission
chairman, said this resolution is pat
termed after Federal law. He said
are not being obtained
under the Federal statute because
the Attorney Generals office "ap-
is too busy"
He recalled recent case in which
a steamship had discharged oil into
Chesapeake Bay, but 1t was decided
not to prosecute because Slere was
no appropriate State law or regula-
ton.
Broad Policy Urged.
The resolution authorizing the
commission to act in individual
cases of pollution was adopted as
substitute for a more compre-
regulation covering future
industries and municipalities.
DR.. McLain, in urging the COM
mission to adopt a broad policy
statement" said:
We're going to have to adopt
this or we're not going to be able
to prosecute any one. If we pro-
ceed against individual offenders
we will be continually making reg
ulations."
He read a Letter from Joseph D.
Buscher, assistant States attorney
general, in which Mr.. Buscher said
the proposed regulation was con-
stitutional and that prosecutions
could be brought under it.
Critical Telegram Is Read.
He also read a telegram from
Commission Member Frank G.
Wachter. Baltimore attorney. who
was absent at yesterdays meeting,
;ritcizing the regulation.
Mr.. Wachter said In his telegram
that the regulation would insti.
jute a disorderly method CT ap-
,proaeh and would backfre. since
1T would penalize municipalities
and industries before they could
adopt preventive measures"
John Clark, director of the De-
partment of TideWater Fisheries
and member of the commission,
also contended the regulation
should not be applied to present in
dustries and municipalities, adding
that it was too comprehensive and
inflexible"
He suggested the regulation apply
to future industrial and housing
projects, and his motion to that
effect was approved unanimously.
Committee Is Formed.
DR.. McLain appointed Commits
sion Member S. T. Powell, Baltimore
chemical engineer, as chairman OF
committee, including Paul w. Nc
Kee, executive secretary, and any
outside help you can get," to draw
up purity standards for all Mary
land streams.
When the standards are set up
they will supplement future regula-
tions to be passed by the commits
sion, it was explained.
DR.. McLain read letter from
DR.. William j. French, Anne Arun-
del County health officer. complain
ing of two housing projects which
he said discharge raw sewage into
the Severn and South Rivers. DR..
French added that the owners had
failed to comply with Health De-
partment requests to correct the
condition.
Asked for comment, DR.. r. H.
Riley, State health director and a
member of the commission, pointed
out his agency has no authority in
the matter unless it is proven to be
health menace.
Further Data Sought.
IF we can't show some one has
been made i'll as result of the dis
charge, we can't get conviction"
he explained. II think this should
be taken up by the commission"
Mr.. Mckee then was instructed to
ask the attorney generals Office what
type of information is needed in
order to prosecute, to obtain the
necessary evidence and to present it
to the commission at its next meet
ing. At that time, the commission
will decide whether to take action.
After DR.. McLain said West Vir-
ginia had requested the commission
to make cooperative study Of poll
luton in streams affecting the two
States, Mr.. Mckee was ordered to
ask West Virginia authorities to con-
fer with the commission and decide
what steps should be taken.
1t also was voted to send ques-
tionnaires to industries and munici-
palities throughout the State to OBJ
tain water pollution data. Z
Guy Lerner, commission chemist,
reported general ignorance" in the
State of the commissions functions.
Mr.. Clark suggested that the COM
mission ask newspapers to publish q
series of articles explaining the law
creating the commission DR.. Nc
Lain said it already has been de-
cided to prepare such a series.
Are SnIzmnn Aande