Forbes. — Survey of Illinois River 89 



that under certain conditions the fish in these streams may he increased 

 rive, ten, twenty, or even a hundred fold or more, hy careful attention 

 to these matters. I believe thoroughly that this Society ought to go 

 on record very strongly in some way in regard to this matter of pollu- 

 tion. It is, in my opinion, the one big question with which the fish 

 interests are confronted, not alone on the streams but on the coasts 

 where this polluting material goes into the salt water. Now unless it is 

 nitrified and oxidized before getting to the bottom of the salt water, 

 it remains there as a slimy ooze; accumulates practically never to dis 

 appear, because of the deficiency or even absence of oxygen. 



We have had that experience in Boston and New Bedford Harbor, 

 and many other places. Our best illustration is perhaps Boston Harbor. 

 where by the expenditure of about $27,000,000 the sewage of a large 

 district has been collected and discharged into tidal waters. We found 

 upon examination that the shellfish production of Boston Harbor should 

 be in terms of food value normally not less than $400,000 a year; and 

 $400,000 a year will pay the interest on a pretty large sum of money. 

 This source of food and wealth has been rendered not only worthless, 

 but even made a positive menace to the public health, by becoming a 

 source from which polluted clams are marketed. And this, too, in 

 addition to the fact that this nitrogenous material, which is extremely 

 valuable as a fertilizer, has been actually wasted. 



When we note that Berlin and other European cities are conducting 

 their sewage on to agricultural land and renting that land for a price 

 up to $35 an acre, it is time for the American people to open their eyes. 



Mr. Meehan : I suggest that you prepare a resolution on this line 

 for submission to the Society. I think it should be done perhaps this 

 afternoon and then it can be acted upon. I think this is a very impor 

 tant matter. 



Dr. Field : I will do so. 



Dr. S. P. Bartlett, Quincy, 111. : I want to go on record as being 

 heartily in accord with the last speaker's remarks. Many of our most 

 beautiful streams in Illinois today are simply sewers. Where great 

 quantities of black bass used to be taken, we have nothing but cesspools. 

 I should like to see the Society adopt a resolution on this subject, so 

 that we can get a start with our legislators. I am heartily in accord 

 with the sentiment. 



