Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-07
Industrial Pact
On River Basin
Waste Sought
Commission Hopes
Plants Will Agree on
Pollution STANDARD
By james BirehfieId

Representatives of industries To-
Gated in the Potomac Basin area
brought together by the Interstate
Commission on the Potomac River
Basin-were attempting today to
agree on the amount of waste any
plant might be allowed to dump
into the river.
This industrial conference is con-
sidered to be among the most i'm
portant phases of the commission S
winter meeting at the Mayflower
Hotel. For, it was pointed out, if
industry can agree on an effluent
standard a long step toward pollu-
ton abatement will have been
taken.
Commission Director Edwin r.
Cotton explained that industries
would be urged to set standards for
the quality of wastes emptying into
the river. While many industries
might better these standards, he
said, none would be allowed to fall
below them.
Could Raise Standard.
He said that as treatment facil-
titles improved, these standards
might well be raised.
Such an industrial agreement, he
said, would represent the first pro-
gress toward solving a major prob
lem Of pollution in the Potomac.
Also high on the commission S
agenda today is a discussion of
piorities to be followed in requesting
funds for treatment facilities under
the Federal antipollution law.
The new law provides $1,000 900 to
be used as grants-in-aid in making
plans, and $22,500,00O to be used as
loans for treatment facility projects
approved by various States.
Areas of First Moves.
The commission expects to study
the Potomac basin and list areas
of first consideration in treatment
facilities as a guide to the member
States. The Potomac Basin is COM
mon to Virginia, Maryland, West
Virginia. Pennsylvania. the District
of Columbia and the Federal Gov
eminent. All have voice in the COM
mission.
Commission m m bers have
pointed out that while Federal
funds under the new law are limited,
it is expected that most grants and
loans will go to the smaller COM
munities-those less able to finance
treatment facilities.
Mr.. Cotton explained that a prior
ity list for the basin would enable
each member State to follow the
line Of pollution abatement of other
commission members. Thus, the
basin and area of many States,
could be treated as a single unit.
In addition to setting standards
for their own wastes, conferees also
were expected to discuss plans
whereby engineering facilities Of
larger industries might be made
available to smaller ones in an
effort to cut down pollution.
Lack Means for Research.
Many small industries are heavy
polluters, 1t was explained, simply
because they lack the means for
research into treatment facilities.
Under a plan to be discussed,
regular meetings would be held be-
tween various industries throughout
the basin so abatement problems
being solved by one industry might
be passed on.
Such a program, 1t was said,
should have far reaching effects in
cutting the industrial pollution load
in the Potomac.
At $3.50 pm. today the commits
sion will hold its first public meet
ing in the Mayf1ower's East Room.
All illustrated lecture on a canoe
trip down the Potomac will be given
by Walter NJ Edwards and Ralph
Gray Of the National Geographic
Society.