Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-04
EAST WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION.
The Organization Hs,r> FROM 1Ir. Stevens
on the Bsfhin- Beach. a

THE sUrERrvTESDENT SEEKS ~ IsrEREs1
crrTzESs ~ Hrs USBERrNEiSG-THE Asso-
CITATION rSDoRsEs rHE FIhy-AcrIoS II EE-
sPEcr To TIE MEMORY OF Mr.. BROWN.
The November meeting q. the East Washing
ton Citizens Association was held last night in
Bsrrns Hall I, was expected that President
Babson would announce the revised list Of com
mittee=, but Mr.. Blb-on stated that the matter
was one - earnest consideration. and as he de-
sired TO get the best for the places he
would ask for more time.
Chairman Hcndle~ Of the committee on
health police and charities called attention to a
communication from superintendent ". Y.
Stevens 81 the bathing beach. referred TO his
COMMITTEE for seton.
The project. he sail. wEs one that very prop
srlv commended Itself To- tho residents OF all
aciions % our citv. II il thought that the sue
e.-- Of this one bathing beach will result in the
establishment ~ a similar one in the eastern
section Of the city.
sUrERINrESDENT STEVENS STATEMENT.
TSe secretary read the letter Of Mr. Stevens.
which said.
After four wears % persistent effort to es-
tsbli-h free public bathing beach for the city
Of Washington. I am constrained TO say that
while there l. a general public admission of the
necessity for such an institution. | have not
met with that alive cooperation which the
success % "a rev enIo.prise demanding the ex-
penditgre % some money requires.
Il therefore appeal TO your association n
representative body Of Washington citizens.
fr-t % investigate and then to act = in your
judgment che merits of The case demand, and
10 act promptly in order that your influence
pro or con- NAV he used early IN the coming
session 81 Congress 20 effect legislation.
For you- convenience permit me 20 sum
rnarize a few facts which have gathered, some
of which have been uubli.hed.
There seems 20 be- two main causes for all
the droWning- q batherz;
''FIrst The swimmer tries 10 do too much,
g. strang.cd with a mouthful If water and
Eu~s down This IL generally attributed TO
cramps. hut nine ont 81 ten were tired out
second The novice. so far n any knowledge
az water IL concerned, but some mothers dar-
ing all the same, dances Fl into The water.
totally ignorant % danger. goes in too far ard
leaves some household in mourning.
Washington il a generation behind the times
in this matter. Boston has had free baths for
Twenty-Five wears ard spends SIC Oc0 every year
60 maintain them PHILADELPHIA las free baths.
costing So. 600. and main :ains them ut an an
rual expense Of : 1900. New York has free
baths. costing originally S202. 900. and main
tiiu- them az annual expense Of So. OO0.
r. 1891 the number of free bathers in New
York ~as 1850. So males and !. OSI. 967 females
Total 5. 1872 $50. Tho above figures are all o.
fetal. = obtained from the mayors of the
spectivc citir- Those bath houses often so
crowded that every one can reach 20 his neigh
Dor and NO one can swim without frequently
kicking somebody They are floating boxes
with foors, -uukcn four to five feet under
water. along the wharves. not far removed from
sewers There are separate DAYS for males and
females. Now. Washington is peculiarly ia
vored in having the tidal basin. a beautiful lake
half a mile wide. without IA drop of sewage on
tering IL. and here We have located the bathing
beach. south of the White Lot and west of the
monument.
This basin II surrounded bv the filed fats
which are eventually TO become n park and
which already covered with trees and
verdure. leaving glimpse of the Potomac
visible. Beyond are Fort Myer and Arlington
in front. while the view melts into distance to
the left over the Ear away hills of Alexandria.
TIE SAFETY OF TEE BEACH.
The beach "a now considered by some 20 be
not entirely safe. because the bottom is not
perfectly even IN grade and the grade does not
extend out far enough. leaving d steep edge. The
usual rIse and fall Of the tide Is -four feet.
and this. ai,ied o. the Winds. makes an extreme
variation 81 over seven feet without consider
ing high water bv freshets. No amount Of
grading would make this satisfactory
Other cities bald houses and float them
boat 90 maintain an even depth of water. but
that u very expensive at first and involves con-
much money as New York has invested in bath
ing houses can make n lake containing more
swimming room than all her houses have;
make 200 new dressing rooms
with separate house for lalies. an am
phithea;er of seats with permanent avn
ing FOR spectators; suI;able house for at
PENDANTS; police stand. guard boxes on the
wharf. and driveway for carriages on the
dam 80 that visitors may drive all around she
little lake and stop anywhere on il to watch
H. a.
scenery from he other side. and This DIVE may
be bOrdered with willows and other wa.e- trees
to add TO the picture and form shade. and
around their trunks NAV be seats where roman
tic couples may discuss life's problems All
this mi gh, be had for one-half what philadcl-
phia bIs paid for her bathing houses. or for
about what Boston pays every year to sustain
hers. Furthermore think that after the first
year this institution would be self sustaining in
this way; Permit the keeper to rent bathing
suits and boats. and to sell cakes. soda water
&c. but nothing intoxicating. on condition
that he shali provide guards and attendants aud
take full care OF the premises. aided BY Po-
hceman TO keep order so that the houses and
pools shall be free 90 all who provide thcm-
selves with proper bathing suits. Ii shall be
maintained with degree Of decorum tia, shall
nj all times invite the presence of ladies' both
bsthers and spectators.
PRECAUTIONS SFCEss.EY
ITO insure safety the whole bottom would be
graded perfectly even and covered with sand
before water Is let in through the dam, the
pools for children being nowhere over three
feet deep. the general pool for bathers nowhere
over four feet and eight inches deep and the
deep hole for divers fenced In by wharf from
which tine guard could jump nearly to the mid
die to help nuv one in need. This would be
il~al evening resort for all who must stay in the
ci:y IN 10; weather and II would add an i'm
Iortan. feature 10 the many attractions Of
Washington Oar people are lavish in exPendi-
lures for monuments 10 commemorate the
d. ed 81 the past and can we not afford TO
scu9 the price ~ one marble statue. even
t.o1rh 10 be upon the sand. that we found on
tl1rt 20 ave the lives Of cur and TO add
O. the health and enjoyment Of all who will
Ia-take. Gentlemen Of the East Warrington
tl.Iz,as AsFocIatIJn. you are an influential
bsly Il taxpayers Many Of you are fathers.
Nov. u YOU viii give This mater your careful
eousils ration and use your influence as YOU
deem proper with the Commissioners of the
lI-,r.-t ana With Congress / shall be entirely
satisAe't is aim l. 10 prOriOte he public well
fare and q TIM project does no; toad To that
end roE are free - In the counsel of
mauy there l. wisdom.
Mr. o. y. Ha!lani offered a resolution indors-
Ing The report aud fledging the support Of the
a=spcia-lgn 10 the same II was unanimously
cArrIJd.
~ NTNfCKY OF J. ". BROWN.
Aitei the regular call of committees and the