Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
FIFTY THOUSAND BATHERS
The Number Registered at Washington's
Swimming Pool the Past Season.
Superintendent stevens Report to
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of
Expenses for the Ensuing Year.

Mr. w Y. Stevens. superintendent of the
bathing beach, submitted to the Commits
sicners today a report of operations the
past season, together with his estimates of
the amount of money needed for the en-
suing year. The report is as follows;
THE rumber of registered bathers was a
little over J0ooo This is an increase of 81
per cent over the previous season. The
largest entry any one day was almost 100
From counts frequently made it is estima-
ted that about 1s.UoO spectators have Wis
tied the beach this season. Only one life
vas lost. That was of Il colored boy. the
particulars of which were published at the
time. and no blame was attached to the
beach. About one hundred lives were
saved by the direct assistance of the life
guards.
There have teen many petty thefts of
money and other valuahles from clothing
III the dressing rooms reported to me. This
has been source of much annoyance, and
great deal of effort has been made to dis
cover the thieves and to stop their depre-
dations. but TO no avail The locks are
Oil, cheap and easily picked. Before an
other season they should lie replaced with
good locks and heavy wire screen should
cover the opening over each door.
Wonderfully Popular.
notwithstanding the many drawbacks
ard inconvenience resulting from meager
appropriations, the Wonderfully increased
popularity of the pool al the multiplying
growth of its patronage warn that d
Punched appropriation for the beach will
rot give public satisfaction Spectators
who LOOK upon the multitude of bathers
Congratulate us in terms of wonder and
amazeInent on the system of management
that has not lost life in -0.OD0 within
tie proper beat of our life guards. and the
heads of families are clamorous for ample
MIA n
safety 10 accommodate comfortably the
whole city of Washington. The inner basin.
on which work has been begun, will do this
when completed according to our plans. 1t
is beautiful lake. covering eight acres.
surrounded by tall shade trees and ten
acres of wild lands, to be reclaimed.
The Expenditures.
"A portion of the $1,000 appropriated for
improving tn. basin has been expended in
clearing away many trees which were
blown down in the storm of last Septem
Der, in partially grading the banks. in max
ing two-thirds CT a mile of road partly
around the lake on the bar *, and in setting
cedar posts a foundation for some of
the buildings required, and the remainder
of that appropriation is being expended In
Placing sand in the basin under contract
After that contract is fulfilled there will
be required as much more sand to complete
the lotion | therefore ask for S15,HU, to
be IN Ede Immediately available, for the inn
10 he available May -. 1898. for care and
repairs
Estimated Expenses.
The following is 2 detailed estimate: For
filling sand and dredging diving pool. $1,000:
for grazing the bottom when sanded 81, 600
sqtare yards, at 1c.. $50; nume gates and
bridge. 500: for +.2nD yards dam. at Zoe.
si2a; fer pumping out whole lake for 100
DAYS. s-l'si. for wharVes and structures in
z. a
Sf.'"H'; natatori'ira for naked bathing, 81 100;
fUr moving present structures 10 new site
Si'ai, for $50 feet of board fence, feet
h2l, az ...'c. N't. for office buildings. 500;
for hoa-dwalhs and flooring. %,iS; for ten
inrapdeseent lights, outfit. ST. Total. Sl5,-
o1J.
Fore care and repars-To keep place for
naked bathing cp"n all day and night:
Three attendants, hours each. at 81 per
day. s.
To keen the swimming lake open from :,
am 10 IL pm, two sets OF attendants, 81
hours each: For colored premises one at
1th'iant fer morning and one evening, each
81 per day. s.; for colored premises one
Efr guard morning and one evening each
$50 per day. 81: for whit. premises one
set Of HAMS morning. two sets evening:
Life guard. one morning. two evening at
= per day each. ST.; clerks, one morning.
two evening at II per day each. 81: ladies'
na.tS. one norr'ig. two evening at 6oc
Ter day each. $3.50; key boys. two morn
iHs. three evening. al Jpc. each. $50. Total,
S1l.2G.
Aggregate: Fer 40 days, at s2l.3 s.
.-ti
For enc l&hcrer to take care of grounds
and buildings and serve as genera; watch
man all the year. 30 days, AZ 81 ~. Sli1
For a telephone, annual rent $50; for
TIVE are lights. all the year SlS.; fc- two
arc lights. TO days $40; for nine i:lcardes-
cent lights, three hours day. 40 days
~; for one incandcscent light eigh. hours
4 day. 12) days. s.: for general repairs after
winter. 500. GRAND total, $3,G29.
PROPOSAL to Salary.
This amo unit will be required to keep
the whole establishment open, free to
naked bathers and 70 all who provide
themselves with bathing suits, aside from
the superintendent-s salary, which should
be al least $1,000 q year. But if permitted
10 receive the rental of his own bathing
suits from those who prefer to pay n rem
tai, ard to collect sucn other moneys as
may be le2itimately earned by teaching
swimming. furnishing refreshments and
appliances for amusement the present su-
rerinrendent offers 10 serve without sal-
ary, provided that If he is called to take
charge u construction. repairs or 9th ar
work when the beach Is not Omen he shall
receive inspectors pay for such services
The above estimates should not be cur
ta1lef. as they are very close and every
dollar viii lie economically spent in i'm
proving the health. strength and enioy-
ment OF this generation and in saving
lives