Stream Pollution 73 



subject. The records of investigators elsewhere have many of them 

 been published, and in so far are available for the authorities of 

 New York State in their consideration of the question as to viola- 

 tions of the terms of the state conservation law as it now stands. 

 After all these have been determined, however, there will certainly 

 be many points left on which no information of a definite character 

 can be secured. The Conservation Commission should provide for 

 a special investigator who has been trained in aquatic biology and 

 who is also well informed in the chemical field. Such a biologist 

 should devote special attention to the study of the effects produced 

 by different kinds of wastes, that he may advise properly and wisely 

 concerning the steps which should be taken to correct the evils that 

 exist. It is, in my opinion, important that this man should be 

 expertly trained in the study of aquatic life, that he may be of 

 maximum assistance in the work which most urgently demands the 

 attention of. the Conservation Commission in this subject. 



Reclamation of Wastes 



There is another phase of the general problem that will 

 undoubtedly yield profitable results, if thoroughly investigated. 

 This is thfe question of the possible reclamation of wastes now dis- 

 charged from different industrial plants. The ultimate solution of 

 this question demands, to be sure, high technical knowledge in con- 

 nection With each individual industry. It is primarily the work 

 of the special chemist associated with the industrial plant producing 

 the waste, and he should be brought to handle it promptly, as evi- 

 dently only he can handle it most effectively. On the other hand, 

 it is evident that the Conservation Commission may by general 

 investigations add to the knowledge in this field. In so far as the 

 problem concerns individual industries, the Commission may effec- 

 tively serve as a clearing house for the transmission of information 

 gained^ at one point to similar manufacturing plants in other parts 

 of the state. It evidently should keep itself and the manufacturing 

 interests of the state informed with reference to the effects of classes 

 of industrial wastes on aquatic life and the possibility of utilizing 

 certain by-products, the removal of which will so modify the wastes 

 as to make them relatively or entirely innocuous. In the ultimate 

 analysis, of course, the reclamation or utilization of industrial wastes 

 is a problem that belongs to the specific industry, and that cannot 

 be adequately or effectively handled except by chemists and others 

 trained in the specific conditions of that industry. The handling 



