40 SECOND BIENNIAL KEPORT ' [ W. VA. 



pollution, will do the same thing, I believe that we can accomplish great re- 

 sults within the next few years. 



I have not made a personal examination of your plant but my idea is 

 that your settling pool must be large and very extensive, and that the water 

 from this pool shouTd only be turned into the river at a time when the stage is 

 very high and the volume of the river so great that the poison from the 

 tannery will not be sufficient to pollute the river to such an extent that it 

 will kill fish. 



I noticed "only a few days ago, that the river at Belington, within a few 

 hours, turned almost as black as ink, and it is a fact that where we once had 

 thousands of bass at this place, that there is not a single fish to be seen in the 

 river, for at least twenty miles. So in the face of these things, I am con- 

 vinced that there is something wrong with the industries on the Tygarts Valley 

 river, and I must insist that it be corrected. 



Thanking you very much for your letter, and assuring you that I am willing 

 to do all in my power to help you correct this, I am, 



Very truly yours, 



J. A. VlQUESNEY, 



Warden. 



ELKINS, W. VA., October 15, 1910. 

 HON. J. A. VIQUESNEY, 

 State Game Warden, 



Belington^ We&1> Virginia. 



EAR SIR: Kef erring to the matter of the pollution of the Tygart's Valley 

 river by the Elkins Tannery, I wish to say that if you are still of the opinion 

 that this matter needs attention and if it has not been corrected I will be 

 glad to take such steps as you wish in accordance with the law, to correct the 

 matter. 



Very truly yours, 



H. G. KUMP. 



October 17th, 1910. 



MB. H. G. KUMP, 



Prosecuting Attorney, 

 Elkins, W. Va. 



DEAR SIR: Eeplying to your letter of the 15th inst., beg to say that there 

 has been considerable improvement made in conditions at the Elkins Tannery, 

 but I do not think yet that they are doing what they should to take care of 

 this pollution. They put in a. small settling pool in the spring, but it was 

 so small that it was of no benefit, so I asked them to put in a larger one, 

 which they agreed to do, and which I understand have done; possibly you 

 know more about it than I do. 



The condition of the water at this place, has been very good most of the 

 summer, but I notice from Roaring Creek Junction up to Elkins^- it is very 

 much discolored, and I have had a great many complaints from citizens con- 

 cerning it. 



Of course, if they are keeping the pollution out at this time, it might be 



