626 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



EleveHtli. By the (jiiick distrihutiou of dairy and farm products 

 from grower to consumer, the health of the consumer would doubt- 

 less be improved by having fresh products. 



Twelfth, American progress demands rapid facilities in business 

 methods; American energy demands modern facilities. In fact, 

 Americans demand the best of everything, and will have the best. 



The CHAIRMAN: These papers are now open for discussion by 

 the members. 



MR. HUTCHISON: I would like to have the first subject taken 

 up, on the water supply of this country. I think it is something 

 that should be given attention. They speak of the filtration plants 

 and I see it discussed in all the papers and large sums of money 

 are expended for the filtration of w'ater. In Harrisburg they are 

 drinking a great deal of coal dust and tilth that comes down the 

 river. Did it ever occur to your mind, that the Lord put a supply 

 of w^ater in the earth and that you can get it out by boring down 

 into the earth and supplying ourselves with it for domestic pur- 

 poses? Did it ever occur to you that these streams are for the 

 purpose of having drained into them and carrying out the filth of 

 the country? To-day I read an editorial cautioning the people to 

 boil their water because this freshet would bring down germ dis- 

 eases from up the country on account of the filth and dirt being 

 washed into the river from various places. If you drill for the 

 water that is in the earth there is no doubt a sufficient supply can 

 be obtained to supply the demands of the people. At the Common- 

 wealth Hotel, in this city, every bit of water is taken out of a drilled 

 well, known as an artesian well. This is a serious question to think 

 about and the time has arrived when we should give it our atten- 

 tion. Up in our country, beyond where I live, is what is called Dry 

 Hollow Valley. There was only one spring there. A few years 

 ago they drilled 240 feet and there are two eight-inch pumps 

 in operation. In Centre county there are eight wells down in the 

 earth and they are getting pure water. Doubtless this condition 

 ■of water supply exists all over this State and if the supply is pro- 

 cured in that way it will do awjiy with the filtration plant as well 

 as do away with the diseased germs. We come to the Legislature 

 every winter and try to legislate against tanneries and factories 

 that are located on most of these streams; but I think the Lord 

 placed the water in the earth for man to obtain and use. Whv 

 wouldn't it be as easy for this city to drill wells for the purpose 

 of supplying water to its citizens instead of forcing it out of this 

 dirty river? I throw out these suggestions in order to bring it 

 before this Board. 



MR. NORTHUP: T was forcibly impressed with the paper on the 



