Ward. — Elimination of Stream Pollution in New York 19 



Important as the question of pollution is from the standpoint 

 of food for the war, we must not forget that its significance reaches 

 much further into the future. Food will probably never be as 

 cheap in the future as it has been in the past. If we are to have 

 in this country those conditions of existence affording a varied 

 food supply of an abundant type which has given the physical 

 vigor, intellectual strength and independence that we as Americans 

 are proud of, we must see to it that all possible means are taken 

 to increase the food supply, to check these limitations on it, to 

 improve the conditions that surround its production. We have 

 in stream pollution, in my opinion, one of the most important 

 of these factors. We have means of testing it definitely, and beyond 

 question when those means are applied by a careful study of the 

 situation and when the conditions that these tests reveal are made 

 known to the people at large through campaigns of education. 

 When the situation is brought home to men in positions of leader- 

 ship, responsible for establishing these conditions, the pollution 

 will be eliminated and the streams restored to something like 

 their original purity. But, gentlemen, without the cooperation 

 involved in that outline of conditions we shall not be able to 

 correct the situation. So sure as we start upon the reform of 

 these conditions with violence, with suddenness, or regardless of 

 great industries that are essential for the prosperity of the country, 

 just so soon shall we involve ourselves in discussion and conten- 

 tion in which, without public support, our cause will be lost. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. N. R. Buller, of Pennsylvania. Mr. President, the common- 

 wealth which I represent has more pollution within its boundaries than 

 any other state in the Union, on account of its vast mining interests and 

 its industrial conditions. We have at present approximately 60,000 mines 

 and industrial establishments within our borders. Only a few years ago, 

 during the term of my predecessor, the first efforts to stop pollution were 

 made. I believe with Dr. Ward, after the experiments that have been 

 made, that the only true remedy is cooperation and education. Bringing 

 prosecutions and imposing fines does not remedy the conditions. 



Pennsylvania has made vigorous efforts to correct these evils. 

 The functions are divided, the Department of Health having jurisdiction 

 in so far as sewage of cities is concerned and the Department of Fisheries 

 over industrial conditions and mines. I am of the opinion that this is wrong 

 and that it should be under one head having authority over both sewage 

 and industrial questions. 



