Evening star., 1898-11-14
Recon- IN mendafions,

The committee is of the opinion that there
is an unnecessary element of danger in the
bathing plant as now arranged, which is
substantially as 1t was the preceding year.
Ihis plant consists essentially of large
pasket-formed structures suspended in the
water by means of large box floats. There
are three of these baskets. Two of them
tone of depth of three feet the other of
tour feeO are stationed at the northerly end
of the beach, and one (three and a half fec
deep at the southerly end The object in
having them was to furnish bathing in
closures of unvarying depth, as thcv rise
ana fall with the floats to which they are
attached, and consequently have the same
relative position to the surface of the water
IN the basin at all stages of the tide As
mere bath tubs they are excellent and if
they We're housed in or fenced, 50 that
those who use them could only get in and
out of them through one well-guarded way
would be theoretically perfect so far as
safety is concerned, but they are CnIy
surrounded by low open railings, easily sur
mounted and penetrated, it is not difficult
for those within to get out of them into the
surrounding deep water. This often oc-
Cured and was a frequent source of solic-
itude to the life guards. One of the most
serious risks from these appliances is the
possibility of bathers getting under the
i!cats and baskets, whence 1t would be ex-
ceedinsly difficult to eXtricate them The
guards cannot know whether all who come
on the hoats can swim, and some who cam
not swim would not hesitate to deceive or
evade the guards in order to crafty their
desire to go there. Many very narrow es-
capes of such persons nave occurred
The ideal public bathing facilities for the
locality of the present beach should con-
sst of a well-sanded bottom, regularly
sloping outward to depth of about six
feet of water at mean low tide or nine
feet at high tide, at an angle approaching
one foot perpendicular to fourteen feet
horizontal. The risks at such a beach
would be at the minimum.
Life Guards in Boats.
The life guards at such a beach should
be stationed in boats short distance from
the deep water line and could thus render
the most efficient service in the readiest
manner. float. fitted up with diving ap-
pliances might be located out in the deeper
water for expert swimmers but 1t should
be different from the present float used for
that purpose, which is a plain oblong box
under which bathers are sometimes caught
and endangered.
The present location is admirably adapted
for such a beach, the current is hardly
perceptible. but enough to make a constant
and sufficient renewal Of the water. The
terrace should be graded and grassed and
a row of rapidly growing trees should be
placed at its top during this fall
A watchman should be provided to care
for the property at night, during the bath
ing season, and day and night, during the
Interval Dtt"eSE the Seasons. lie ShOOl1
not only be competent to care for the pub
lie property, but to aid bathers and skaters
in need of assistance in the vicinity of the
beach,
Public Play Grounds.
During the frequent visits of the men,
bers of the committee to the bathing beach
they were impressed with the adaptability
of portions of the Potomac Park in the vi
cinity for the purposes of public play
ground. The spaces in the city and suburbs
for youthful sports and other forms of
diversion in the open air are becoming