Evening star., 1947-12-13
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Sees Goal Of
Po||utionContro|
Steps Under Way
To Clean River
For Swimming
By james BirchfieId

For the first time since its forma-
ton in 1889, the Interstate Com
mission on the Potomac River Basin
is within sight of its goal-a clean
river.
This is the concensus of COM
mission members, and representa-
tives of industries and municipali-
ties throughout the basin who at
tended the annual winter meeting
of the commission Yesterday and
Thursday at the Mayflower Hotel.
Already steps are being taken
that will bring the quality Of the
river in the Washington area to a
higher degree of purity-that will
allow swimming in the river above
Key Bridge and boating and recre-
alton in the sections Of the river
just below WaShington-While COM
munities and industries in the basin
are becoming more interested in
pollution abatement programs.
Local government representatives
pointed out time and again that
finances are the main stumbling
blocks in the way of community
action on pollution abatement.
Finances Studied.
These financial problems are now
being studied and it was reported
that cooperative action on the part
Of several communities, or COM
munities and industries, may be a
solution.
A. T. Lundberg, Arlington County
manager, reported that plans are
being made to enlarge the county's
sewage treatment facilities. Fairfax
County also is making plans to treat
wastes that now are emptied into
the Potomac
The possibility of joint community
action in the Virginia metropolitan
area is being investigated.
Speaking for industry, James S.
Thayer of Cumberland, Md, said the
commissions work has been "inval-
liable in stimulating a community
interest on the part of industry
A few years ago, Mr.. Thayer said.
Industries had little concern with
community matters.
New Designs Cited.
Now industries. are taking an ac-
tive part in community affairs New
plant installations are being designed
to include both facilities for treating
wastes that pollute the streams and
those that pollute the air.
This commission has had much
to do with this new industrial atti-
tude"
Again, on the local level, the COM
mission has established close rela-
tions with the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. This
should stimulate more progressive
action in the Metropolitan Area.
The commission will name mem
bers OF Land Use Committee be-
fore its spring meeting near Harris
burg, Pa. This group, to be COM
posed of representatives of the Agri-
culture Department and State
groups, will seek to prevent pollution
by soil erosion.
Erosion Is Factor.
1t was pointed out by E. "A.
Schmidt, chief engineer of the
Washington Aqueduct System, that
soil erosion upstream places an ad-
ditional burden on the Districts
water publication facilities. Mr..
Schmidt said it now costs about SIT
to treat 100000 gallons OF WASH
tngton water. If soil erosion were
controlled, he said, this cost could be
reduced to some degree.
The need of financial aid to the
commission from the Federal Gov
ernment was brought out again yes
terday by Harold A. Kemp, District
sanitary engineer, who said the
S10,888 requested by the commission
would be the best investment the
Government ever made"
Mr. Kemp said the support of the
commission, which is stimulating
action in pollution control by COM
munities, would be an investment
repaid to the Government many
times.
Before it adjourned yesterday the
commission pledged support to the
Atlantic, States Marine Fisheries
Commission in a photographic sur
vey of the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries.