Evening star., 1951-06-08
U. 5. River Pollution
Poses National Threat,
Duff Tells Commission
By jones R. Birehfield
Star Staff Correspondent

FREDERICK, Nd, June g.
Senator Duff, Republican, of
Pennsylvania told the Interstate
Commission on the Potomac River
Basin here yesterday that the Ma
ton faces a threat to its water
resources.
Senator Duff. who led a pollu-
ton abatement move while Gov
ernor Of his State, said many Of
the American streams contain
nothing more than diluted sew
age.
He said the country may lose
its most important natural re-
source. If something is not done
soon to clean up the rivers.
"At time of high national in
come and high tax rates." Senator
Duff said. "the Nation can re-
lieve pollution at little or no cost.
ut is an outrage that the
United States has assumed a posi-
ton of world leadership without
paying attention to correcting the
obvious evils at home"
The Senator took part in a
program sponsored by the COM
missions Land Committee. The
program placed emphasis on a
plan to develop the resources Of
the Monocacy River Basin. a part
of the Potomac watershed.
Brandywine Project Cited.
Discussing program on the
Brandywine River, which drains
part of Pennsylvania and Della
ware, Clayton Hoff, vice president
of the Brandywine Valley Associ-
alton, said democracy thrives
when the people Of a region get
together to solve their own prob
lens.
He said the Brandywine devel-
opment is an example Of what
can be done when industry and
the people cooperate in a move
TO clean up and develop a basin.
The river is being returned to its
natural state of beauty, he said
Discussing the Monocacy de-
velopment, Solomon Hoke, chair
man of the Monocacy River Wa
tershed Council, said that, If the
enthusiasm shown at this meeting
can be translated into action, the
Monocacy can be made into one
of the most beautiful spots in the
country.
He said farmers are beginning
to look over their fences" and are
realizing the gains from conserva-
ton programs practiced by their
neighbors.
DR.. r. v. Truitt, director of
Maryland's Department Of Re-
search and Education, said two
thirds of the Monocacy valleys top
soil has washed into the ocean dur
ing the last $50 years. He said the
beauty and usefulness of the river
still may be saved, if the people
are awakened to the dangers OF
pollution and unabated soil ero-
sion.
Program Made Public.
A program for the Monocacy
watershed, prepared by the State
Planning Board, was made public
here for the first time. The plan
called for action by the council
lin stimulating interest In conser-
vation activities in the basin.
The plan emphasized that while
attention must be paid to the soil
and water resources in the basin,
its economy, culture and welfare
are at stake in the future develop
ment in the area.
DR.. William D. McElroy, direc-
tor of the McCollum Pratt 1nsti-
tute at Johns Hopkins University
h told the meeting nutrition also
lis a problem of conservationists
He said it is no longer possible
to determine the nutritive value
i of a crop by it's lush growth
pointing out that many crops that
seem to thrive are lacking in nu-
tritive elements.
DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, Dis
ltrict Health Director and chair
man of the Land Committee, said
that poor land practices on the
farms Of the Nation are cutting
into the health of the people. y
He urged that consideration be
given by farmers to the health
of the land upon which crops
and livestock are grown.
The commissions spring meet
ing will end this afternoon, fol-
lowing committee reports and the
regular business session.