Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-18
An Expert Swimmer.
HOW THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE
COMMISSION DisPORTs HIMSELF IN THE WATER

HOW THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE
COMMISSION DlSPORTs HIMSELF IN THE WATER
Mr.. Edward A. Moseley, the secretary OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission, has been spend
ing few days down at Norfolk. While there he
had chance 70 take dip In salt water. He gen.
orally stays three or four hours in the water and
he says that he finds 1t agrees with him. Besides
Mr. Moseley nnds great deal to do while enjoy.
Ing plunge. He Is an expert swimmer. There is
probably nothing in the natatorial art which he
cannot DO with skill and grace. 1t Is unnecessary
10 ada that he Is fine athlete. But In the water
he Is probably without rival, except by some OF
the professional swimmers in this country and in
England. The members OF the Columbia Athletic
Club have frequently witnessed his remarkable
exhibitions. He swims with a powerful stroke
and has frequently made continuous swim OF
three and four miles 1t is In what Is called fancy
swimming that Mr.. Moseley excels. he floats on
his back and on his stomach with equal ease He
can noat with his feet and arms held In the air or
he can roll over on his side, and placing his head
in one arm, lie there motionless on the top OF the
water. One OF his most striking IeatS Is when he
stands upright In the water.
He DOES NOT MOVE MUSCLE,
but stands as unconcernedly as II he was on dry
land looking around and admiring the beauty OF
OF the scenery. He can lie on his back on the
water, and, throwing his arms back over his head
he can propel himself forward with astonishing
rapidity.
Mr.. MOseley is quite large. leshy man, weighing
some TWO hundred pounds. but when he is In the
water he appears 10 weigh about O hundred
pounds During the summer he does not go INTO
tuc river mere, as Inc water IS 700 warm He Is q
resident OF Boston, and has been accustomed TO
the temperature OF the wafer In that locality.
HOW IT Is DONE.
STAR reporter introduced the subject OF SWIM
ming In the course OF q conversation with Mr..
Moseley, and he talked Of his favorite sport with
all the animation OF an enthusiast. He was asked
how II was possible for him TO maintain himseir In
such apparently impossible position In the water
"it Is all In poising or balancing yourself" he
replied. when lie down on the wafer, with my
leet and arms IN the air, make no muscular exer-
ton. am simply balanced on the water, the
principle OF the ghtness OF the body In the water
as compared with that out Of the water being, OF
course, brought into play. The head is heavy, and
while IN that attitude 1t Is necessary TO keep IL
under water, now and then bringing the nose and
mouth 10 the surface for breath OF air. The bal
ance Is the main thing In all fancy swimming.
somehow comes TO me naturally. / arrange my
body without specially thinking about 1t, and
noat with great ease. In tnls way a man can dc
Win slight EFFORT what appears to be dificult II
not impossible featS To learn how to swim a man
must get the proper motion OF the arms and legs
IN noatlng you must learn TO ADJUST yourself on
the water IN much the same way as you balance q
spoon on the edge OF q tea cup"