The morning times., 1896-07-29

Mr. w X. Stevens, superintendent of
the bathing beach, is getting everything
ready Tor tn annual races
The contests this year will take place
within the next ten days. The exact date
has not yet been decided upon, because
he is waiting TO find out Just when the
tide is in proper condition between 4 and
. O'Clock in the afternoon. Officials at
the Coast and Geodetic Survey are making
the calculations for him, and as soon ss
their report reaches him he will set the
date.
Last year the time was set by a young
iu8n, who took matters in his own hands,
and the river was in horrible condition
when the swimmers were ready to begin
their Contests Mr.. Stevens has decided
that there shall be nothing like this hap
pen this year. the Same young man to the
contrary notwithstanding.
A NEW RACE.
new feature is to be added to this
of all prizes have been deba rred from
contesting again. This has shut out some
of the very best watermen. There has
been more or less complaint on this score,
and Mr. Stevens has evolved a scheme
which will do away with all complaints
He intends to have one Of the races ope..
to prize winners only. In this Class, it
is expected, that some fine sport will be
shown. He will arrange a system of
marking, and the prize will be given on
the average efficiency.
This prize, which will probably be a gold
medal, will not become the property Of the
winner the first year. To add interes.
Mr.. Stevens intends to make it necessary
that a contestant should win il two
or three times before it becomes his per-
sonal property. In this way he THINKS the
champions will be kept awake for two or
three Years The details OF this race, how
ever, will not be made public for some
days yet Just as soon as he can decide
on them they will be published in The
Times.
The other prizes will be the same as last
year, except the ba rrel race This is to be
done away with. First and second medals
will be given for the best plain diving
First and second prizes, first gold and
second silver, will be offered for the best
fancy diving First and second medals
will also be given for the longest distance
dive under water The 1O0-yar race
will again he open to all ages, and a first
and second medal will be offered. The
only distinctively boys race is the So
yard contest. No one over sixteen years
of age Will be permitted to enter this, md
a gold and silver medal will be the prizes
awarded.
PRIZES ARE READY
Mr. Stevens already has his medals. The
business men who have taken such an in
terest in the beach in the past are still
its friends. They always help out on
such occasions and this will be no ex-
ception. They will all be seen this week.
The races this year promises to be much
more interesting than any in the past.
The new contest will add greatly to the
event. 1t is expected that some records
will be smashed Last year one hundred and
thirty five yards under water won the
distance prize, but several swimmers have
their hearts set on knocking this all TO
pieces.
The attendance at the beach is simply
booming these warm days. Monday six
hundred and forty-five persons were in
the water, and fully as many were out
swimming yesterday. There has been
nothing to equal it this year. Yet this
great number only brought in two. thirds
of the amount of money secured sunday.
All the swimmers OF the District are
practicing and the new prize winners class
will take heart when they learn that
they are no longer barred. The races
will certainly be the finest ever seen.