Evening star., 1947-08-20
Lack Of Funds Blamed
In Failure 10 Control .
Tidewafer Pollution
By the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Aug. 20.-Dr. Ro-
bert H. Riley told the New Mary
land Water Pollution Control Com
mission yesterday that most tide
water communities "have done all
they can with present financial
means" to control sewage disposal.
The State health director made
his remarks after Chairman John
Clark of the Board of Natural Re-
sources said he was surprised that
the State Board of Health inter-
preted its responsibility in pollution
control only in a persuasive" role
toward communities involved.
A list of Maryland municipalities
located in tidewater having sewage
systems, together with a brief de-
scription of sewage treatment plants
if anyways submitted by George
L. Hall, health department sanitary
engineer.
Some Have No Plants.
The report disclosed that several
communities had no sewage disposal
plants, and sewage was discharged
into nearby streams.
Among these were North Beach
and Chesapeake Beach.
Both Dr. Riley and Mr. Hall said
a great deal had been done in the
last Is years in sewerage control
and the State health director said
less than l per cent of Maryland's
oyster bars had been restricted be-
cause of pollution.
Advised by Mr.. Clark that the
Health Department had legal power
to issue orders for communities to
set up acceptable disposal systems,
DR.. Riley said:
II wouldn't know where to go
and issue orders to towns which
would improve the health cr sthe
oysters"
Aggressive Policy Urged.
Mr.. Clark said that it was unfair
to have one town maintaining costly
disposal plant, and have another
nearby dumping sewage into the
river or bay.
Il don't think this thing can be
licked by following a policy of talk
ing and trying to persuade people
to do something" Mr.. Clark added.
"If we are forcefully going after
pollution, we are going to move in
aggressively and not sit by and let
another Is years 60 by.
II am surprised that you inter-
pref your responsibility as only per-
SuaSion."
DR.. Riley said that legal advisers
ruled the Health Department could
not force towns to build plants, and
Mr.. Clark said the commission then
should find out who had the nee
essary power.
Study Is Planned.
II believe you are going to find
that most communities have done
all they can. The big question is
money" DR.. Riley said.
The commission moved to study
all pending and future plans for
disposal plants submitted to the
Health Department, and to ask
county officials to supply plans to
new housing developments and in
dustries to see if disposal programs
were included.
A special report on half a dozen
recent pollution complaints also was
made. The commission was told
that Anne Arundel County and An
napolis officials were taking steps
to clean up Spa Greek, used exten-
sively by pleasure boats.
1t also was advised that pollution
conditions in the Cumberland area
were under investigation. Commis-
sion representatives recently in
spected pollution in the Potomac
River and c. g. o. Canal. The
celanese plant, West Virginia Pulp
& Paper Co. and other industries
were visited.
Personally" DR.. Riley said, 81
would like to see us tackle the Cum
berland situation. If we should
serve an order, I would want to be
sure we could carry it out"