Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-26

Il WIN Probably Not Ne Opened Ae.i. n
season.

season.
From all Appearances 10 would seem fhst ne
free bathing beach win not be opened seHin
this season. In accordance with the request
Of the Commissioners the engineer depsrs-
ment OF the District made soundings every ten
feet as sas out rs the end Of the al and today
made a report Upward OF 700 soundines vrss
rhade. and, a. whole. the bottom vss COM
paraiively regular. The most noticesble irreg-
ulhrity occurred about the middle Of tl.s beach
near the end Of the ILL Here q sounding
showed that from q depth OF two feet ave
inches at Low tide q hole was encoun-
tered eight feet away over tix feet
deep. Capt. Rossen will make no formal
concerning the beach. but merely forward Tie
report OF the engineer who made tn sound
ings. He stated. however TO Commissi
Douglass this morning that IL wns his npinioa
that the beach should be extended out until 10
measured 200 feet from tho shore. and the
whole grrded so that st low tide 10 would be
not over five feet deep. This would give q
aepth Of eight feet at high tide.
Commissioner Douglass. when asked this
morning when Il Was proposed'to open tie
beach. said that he could not tell. ~ IL eas the
purpose Of the Commissioners TO take al posi-
bic precautiou regaring the safety of the beach
before throwing ~ opon again TO the public.
He was OF the impression that cofsr dam
should be constructed, so that the water could
be kept At one depth all the tine.
Superintendent W. \. Stevens called
upon the Commissioner later Ia the
day and talked an houror more about
the beach. he Was Of the mind that
until some better arrangements could be
made the beach should remain closed 10 al
who could not swim unless with parents OF
guardians. lie said that tie people Who
SWIM have missed the beach more during
the week il has remained closed than
all me balance OF the season before IL sss
completed. Mr.. Stevens has had stakes driven
at regular intervals over the beach, vhich are
marked IN such a manner ne 90 deiIcte the
depth Of the water thereabouis.
The matter WAS not discussed at the board
meeting today. but will be taken up 81 -
morning session on Monday.
WHAT NR. sTKvESs SAYS.
Mr.. Stevens subse que ntly aid to a sSss ~
porter: II have today seen tho Commits oners
and they are sverse TO reopcnins the beach
under any conditions In which they .ill be
held responsible for any accident that nav
occur there. IL IL evident 90 all that the COM
dition Of the beach has had nothing 60 90 with
the drownincS which have occurred in deep
water near IL, and though the survey
shows sleeper places on the cutter edge q the
colored side than IL Ia desirable 20 have any,
where along the beach front vet there 10 no
spot 90 bad or unsafe the best place any
where else on Wnshington's water front. Bath
- are OAArpoAeh Ia CONCENTRATION OF those
dogs in the Manager who do not want 10
battle aud 80 raise acryI danger that issure TO
drive bathors 20 inconvenieut and unsafe
places There remains money enough - sbe
FUNDS donated to pay keepers through the
season. Stakes are yet at various points show
! ing the depth of water at all tides, the boat 10
ready for service and another can be had
for the asking and net IL almost done. ready
Tor quick recovery. Docs the public want the
beach reopened without risk 20 the Com
missionersI II % think il will lie opened"