34 SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT [W. VA. 



domestic uses, the water of which is used for the town supply at Philippi. 

 I beg to direct your attention to this condition, in the hope that you might 

 be able to find some means as game and fish warden to remedy this pollution 

 of a beautiful and useful river, before it is too late. 

 With all good wishes, I am, 



Most truly, 



SAM'L V. WOODS. 



March 28th, 1910. 

 HON SAM'L V. WOODS, 

 PMippi, W. Va. 



DEAR SIR: I have your letter of the 24th inst., and note carefully all you 

 say concerning the pollution of the Tygarts Valley river. 



I took a sample of the pollution flowing from this tannery last summer, 

 and had same analyzed, but it seems that I obtained this water at the time 

 when it was not so impure as it usually is, and am not satisfied with analysis. 



I have made arrangements with the U. S. Fish Commission to make an 

 actual test of any samples of w r ater that I might send them from this state, 

 and ascertain whether or not it is deleterious to fish life, but was requested 

 >y4the Commissioner sometime ago, to not send them any samples until after 

 first day of April. I will take a sample of this* water, within the next few 

 days, and have an actual test made, and will then take some steps to prevent 

 this pollution. 



I have been told by the Fish Commissioner of the State of Pennsylvania, 

 that the tanneries in that state are taking care of this pollution, and that they 

 are* having no trouble with their tanneries. I am going to make a trip to 

 Harrisburg, within the next month, and find out just how they are doing this, 

 so that I may be able to intelligently make suggestions to" the tanneries and 

 paper mills in, our own state, and if possible, reduce this pollution. 



I have not deemed it best to act hastily or foolishly in these matters, as I 

 receive a great many letters from people urging that it would be very foolish 

 to injure any industries for the sake of protecting the few fish that we have in 

 this state, but as you suggest in your letter, there are things of more concern 

 in this pollution than simply killing the few fish, and if we permit these things 

 to continue for a few more years, our splendid streams of pure water will 

 be entirely destroyed. 



I am determined to take some action, not only in stopping the pollution of 

 the Tygarts Valley, but several other streams in the state, and assure you that 

 I appreciate your letter and suggestions along this line. And while I realize 

 it is a very difficult task, yet I believe a great deal can be done within the 

 next year, in this direction. 



Thanking you again for your letter, and soliciting your further suggestions, 

 I am, 



Very truly yours, 



J. A. VIQUESNEY, 



Warden. 



