Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-16
Harold Kemp, Who Led Fight
For Clean Potomac River, Dies
Districts Sanitary
Engineering Chief
Was III q Month

trict's director of sanitary en-
cheering, died early today in
George Washington University
Hospital.
A leader in the fight against
pollution in the Potomac River,
Mr.. Kemp had been i'll for about
a month.
He was head engineer Of the
Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors at the War Depart
ment at the time he joined the
District Government in July,
1914.
Previously he had been
loaned" to the city government
for special assignment work UNI
der his predecessor, the late
John Blake Gordon. Among the
projects on which he did special
work were the Rock Greek sewer
and the sewage disposal plant.
Warned Against Delays.
In his District post and as
chairman of the Interstate Com
mission on the Potomac River
Basin, Mr.. Kemp had warned
repeatedly against delays in
solving the pollution problem of
the Potomac River below Wash
ington.
He minced no words about
the danger to human health
presented by contamination Of
the river, and worked tirelessly
to arouse support for remedial
measures not only in the Dis
trict but in the Metropolitan
Area.
Mr.. Kemp sponsored a sewer
bond issue in Arlington County,
where he lived. and the issue
carried by a large majority.
At present, nearly every near
by Virginia community is pro-
ceeding with sewage disposal
programs.
He made several appearances
before the Virginia State Water
Control Board to urge pollution
abatement programs for nearby
Virginia.
Survey Under Way.
One way he thought the
Potomac pollution problem could
be solved was by piping nearby
Virginia sewage under the
Potomac River to Washington's
plant at Blue Plains. He be-
lieved this would be the most
economical solution.
Mr.. Kemp's discussion Of this
plan was largely responsible for
the regional sewage survey that
four nearby Virginia commune
ties joined in undertaking.
The survey showed that 1t
would be cheaper for nearby Vir-
ginia to treat sewage on the Vir-
ginia side Of the river, but it did
recommend several sewage prof.
ects which could save the tax
payers money.
Alexandria and Fairfax Coun-
ty now are on the verge of an
agreement to participate in one
Of those joint systems.
Nearby Maryland's sewage is
treated at the District plant.
Backed Works Program.
Mr.. Kemp also worked con-
stantly to obtain appropriations
to bring the Districts own sew
age system up to date with the
city's growth. He had estimated
that at the current rate of ap-
preparations, it would be the
year 2007 before city sanitation
was up to date.
The flag was at half staff at
the District Building, where the
Commissioners adopted a reso-
luton Of regret at Mr.. Kemp's
death.
They noted in their statement
commencing his service that just
before he had prepared the cap
ital Improvement program Of the
District sewage system now be-
ing considered by the city heads
mfr. Kemp was outstanding
in his chosen field Of engineer
ing" the resolution said, "untir-
ing in his devotion to public
service, and was always fair and
just in his relations with others. -
Mr.. Kemp was born at Fred
erick, Md, on April ~, 1894. He
was a 1917 graduate Of Virginia