XLVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of auy gas-works, or of works engaged in using such products, or any waste product 

 whatever of any mechanical, chemical, manufacturing, or refiuiug establishment to 

 flow into or he deposited in Rock Creek or the Potomac River or auy of its tributaries 

 within the District of Columbia or into any pipe or conduit leatling to the same, and 

 auy one guilty of violating this section sball, on conviction, as provided in section 2 

 of this act, be hned not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for 

 each and every day during which said violation shall continue, to be prosecuted for 

 and recovered as provided in the preceding section. 

 Approved March 2, 1885. 



As there is every probability that the law will be enforced, so far, 

 at least, as the use of nets is concerued, the experiment will furnish a 

 fair test as to the utility of such i)rotective measures. The law also 

 j)rohibits the introduction of poisonous refuse of gas-works or other 

 manufactories. The experiment of the protection of the broad waters 

 of the Potomac referred to, will not probably be of much benefit unless 

 strict measures are taken to prevent the discharges complained of. The 

 incidental objections, aside from the iujury to the fish, to the discliarge 

 of this oily or tarry matter consist of its foulness, and the exteut to 

 which it attaches itself to boats of all kinds, especially those belonging 

 to the numerous Washington boating clubs. 



C— THE INCREASE OF FOOD-FISHES. 



23. — BY PROTECTIVE MEASURES. 



The idea is widely entertained that the U. S. Fisli Coniiiiission lius 

 received from Congress some authority for enforcing measures looking 

 tovs^ards the i)reventiou of improper modes or times of ca])turing lisli in 

 American waters, and it is somewliat diiidcult to satisfy inquirers that 

 the functions of the Commission are purely advisory, and do not in- 

 clude the power of either making or enforcing regulations. Its advice 

 on such subjects, when asked, is, however, freely given. The only en- 

 actments by Congress on this subject thus far are those relating to the 

 protection of fish in the waters in the District of Columbia. 



In response to a request from the Board of Health of the District of 

 Columbia, I directed Col. M. McDonald to make an investigation and 

 report in reference to the pollution of the Potomac Eiver in the hmits 

 of the District by the discharge into it of the waste products from the 

 manufacture of illuminating gas. 



The examination showed that a large amount of matter, presumably 

 deleterious, is discharged into the river from the works of the Washing- 

 ton and Georgetown Gas Companies, the most serious source of ]>ollu- 

 tion being the dark oily residuum coming from the regenerators employed 

 in the establishment for the manufacture of gas from oil, this being 

 used as an enricher of the gas Irom coal. The i>liysical characteristics 

 of this substance are such as must determine its general distribution 



