Evening star., 1947-09-06
Potomac
Continued From First Page.)

LlOn possess Cne SCrengLn ana
stamina of the present generation? ?
These are questions of local,
State and national importance.
DR.. Seckinger pointed out that
studies already have indicated
dietary deficiencies are widespread,
but That research into these de-
ficiencies has Jagged. Unless more
Is known, he continued, the race
of men who have made America
a great power may deteriorate.
The city Of Cumberland, Nd, was
described yesterday as the STUN
bling block" in the way of q pollu-
ton abatement program for the
Upper Potomac area.
Continuing talks begun last spring,
representatives Of water control
agencies OF West Virginia and Mary
land agreed that Cumberland must
make plans to clean up its pollu-
ton before a satisfactory co-opera-
tive program between the two States
can be carried out.
Kenneth 8. Watson, chief engineer
for the West Virginia water Com
mission, said his State is ready to
push its pollution abatement pro-
gram along the Upper Potomac
when Maryland is ready to act.
80 far" he said, I'VE cannot ex-
pect municipalities and industry on
our side to become serious about
pollution when the big offenders are
on the Maryland side"
Even so," he continued, I'VE are
going ahead in some sections. Three
of our industries are making plans
for waste treatment plants
Members of the Maryland Water
Pollution Control Commission, head
ed by its chairman, DR.. Joseph Nc
Lain, gave assurance that the State
Is ready to cooperate in the pro-
gram. Commission members point
ed out, however, the Cumberland
problem rests with the State Health
Department.
Cumberland, the States second
largest city, dumps raw sewage into
the Potomac. City representatives
have said In the past the city will
undertake to treat its sewage after
adequate flood control measures
have been taken and the city has
the assurance of an adequate water
supply.
Maryland representatives said the
commission would take under ad-
visement suggestions by the West
Virginia group. These call for a
definition of the problems within
the Upper Potomac area so that a
specific program can be drawn up.
Earlier yesterday, Lyman Carrier,
director of the Virginia Soil Con-
servation Service, said two forces
are threatening to destroy civiliza-
tion-war and the misuse Of the
soil.
Mr.. Carrier said the United States
now is 10000 900 acres short of the
three and one-half acres of crop
land per person considered neces-
sary to provide food and clothing.
Unless we stop the erosion that is
depicting our valuable soil resources,
he said, we will some day be in the
same position as India and China,
where millions of people never have
q square meal.
During floods" Mr.. Carrier said,
farm after farm may be seen pass
ing down the Potomac River. This
can be prevented by proper soil
practices. We have rivers in the
State that are now turning clear,
and we hope that some day the
Potomac will be among them"
George Dean, Virginia forester,
told commission members that
maintaining forests in the Upper
Potomac area would decrease the
dangers of flash floods. In addition,
he said, forest lands will absorb
water, providing q supply for springs
and wells farther down the basin.