Evening star., 1951-06-08
River Pollution
Threatens u. S.,
Duff Declares
Potomac Basin Group
Told Of Pressing Need
To Save Resources
BY james R. BirchfieId
Star Stef Correspondent

S'9' S'oII $obe3Pohoenr
FREDERICK, Md, 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 a time of high national in
come and high tax rates." Senator
Duff said, "the Nation can re-
lieve pollution at little or no cost.
"It is an outrage that the
United States has assumed posi-
tion 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 a 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 thriyes
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 basin.
The river is being returned to it's
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
lof the most beautiful spots in the
country.
He said farmers are beginning
!, to look over their fences" and are
Irealizing the gains from conserya-
ton programs practiced by their
neighbors.
!. Or. r. ". 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.
l 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
!, in stimulating interest in conser-
vation activities in the basin.
i 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-
vEtor of the McCollum Pratt Insti-
tute at Johns Hopkins University.
/ told the meeting nutrition also
Is a problem of conservationists.
He said it is no longer possible
to determine the nutritive value
! of a crop by its lush growth.
pointing out that many crops that
seem to thrive are lacking in nu-
! tritive elements.
DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, Dis
, Itrict 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. -
He urged that consideration be
given by farmers to the health
of the land upon which crops
land livestock are grown.
The commissions spring meet.