Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-21

| free public use that bathers would take care of
| themselves. but the public seem to expect very
! much more. We must guard against accidents
| which result from recklessness.
1t has been suggested that the grading be ex-
tended out two hundred feet from shore, leav-
ing the water five feet deep at the outer edge at
| low tide. This would be nine feet deep at high
tide, so that five-ninths Of the two hundred feet
would be all that could be used at any tide, and
| only two-ninths would be from three to five
| feet deep. Then there could be no limit set to
wading out into deep water more than can now
be set, and the wharves would also require to
be extended out the full two hundred feet, and
| all this work. including grading and covering
entailing heavy expense to do it well.
Floating pools with plank bottoms have also
been considered, but they are very expensive
II they give any such area rs we desire and they
are in danger in every freshet or high wind
Ten thousand dollars is the sum most frequently
suggested as a reasonable amount to be ex-
pended the coming season. but that would fall
! far short of accomplishing either of the above
plans, so l have been studying and calculating
a great variety of plans to accomplish the most
with $4,000, always looking
First to safety.
Second, to plenty of bathing area for great
city.
Third, to plenty of wharfage, since these
stepped wharves have proved a great success,
being the centers around which all cluster who
cannot swim.
Fourth. to a perfectly even bottom.
Fifth, to an invariable depth Of water in spite
OF the tide, which has varied six feet from
highest to lowest this season account Of
winds and without any freshet.
Sixth, to the greatest facilities for ENJOYMENT
! by the public both as bathers and spectators
and last, to make it place Of beauty worthy
OF the capital city and in keeping with the
scenery which nature has provided at this point
as a background.
A ~ X,J,
plan. In the accompanying drawing the side
circles represent dams, each inclosing pool
100 feet across, and the central one pool 225
feet across each provided with gate
whereby the water may be retained at high tide
and be held at that level or be let out when
ever a change is desirable.
The right-hand or north pool may be three
and n half feet deep for the Of women and
children who cannot swim. The central one
from three to five feet deep excepting a mar
row diving hole fenced of at the further side,
to be twelve feetdeep. This will give plenty of
swimming area. where any one may rest his
feet on the bottom when tired, thus insuring
the greatest measure of safety.
|. Watchmen walking on the fence, which is
wharf, and on the dam may Jump almost to the
middle of the deep hole. carrying life lines, thus
rendering boats unnecessary. ladder, n
trapeze, a tumbling bar, &C., may be provided
for gymnasts over the water where they cannot
be hurt by a fall.
Ahc iSAs-uaHu VI sOutI pool lot cOlOreQ fOlkS
may be disposed like the central pool though
the size OF their pool gives them more swim
ming room per capita of bathers than the
whites have.
There may be tiers Of seats like an amphi-
theater for spectators all along the high bank
The radial lines in the large pool and lines
partly circling the small ones represent
wharyes for use of bathers There should be
! three more blocks Of fifty rooms each on the
white side. a keepers lodge, telephone box
| for the police, outhouses and sentry boxes and
| all under the houses and around the brow of
the embankment should be asphalt concretetL
Tor cleanliness. The bottoms of the pools and top
OF dams to be sanded the bank sown to grass
fountain In the center OF the large pool and a
| carriage drive to overlook the whole l have
made this plan as the best that Can be done for
SlU,oOO, and If that sum is appropriated early
IN the next session Of Congress it may be all
done ready for use by next June.
l suggest that if the public want guards
enough 10 be of service the appropriation
should also be over 81, 200 for their paw. as
follows: Four men ut $50 n month each, four
boys at Sl5 each, for four months from June 1
to October l. The sum asked for is less than
would pave a street long as the beach
Which do you think would give the greater
amount of pleasure and comfort2
! Real estate men have said that this project
would add to the value of property for people
seeking homes in this city.
The capital OF the nation should certainly
have a little bit OF water frontage in keeping
with the style OF the city, and no pre- ttier view
can be found than that from the bank Of the
beach
recommend the appropriation OF S11 500. to
DC expended as above suggested, on the bath
ing beach Tor the coming season.