Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-09
Mr.. STEVENS OPPOSES
Superintendent of Bathing Beech Against
Granting Certain Privileges.
Petition of Messenger Boys for Per-
mission to Battle After Hours
Reasons for Rejection.

A petition was filed with the District
Commissioners several days ago by seven
teen of the special delivery messenger boys
of the city post office, asking that they be
permitted to battle at the District bathing
beach after working hours. The boys ex-
planned that they have to work until II
o'clock pm, and promised that, if granted
the desired privilege, they would make no
disorder and cause no trouble to any one.
They referred the Commissioners to the
officer in charge of the beach to their
reliability. About the same time a letter
was received by the Commissioners from
Mr.. Charles Frances, who also asked that
the hours of the bathing beach be extended
so to permit persons employed in the day
until 4 pm. to enjoy the privileges of the
beach. MIR. Frances also complained that
the beach is often closed because of alleged
cool weather The communications were
referred by the Commissioners to Mr.. w.
y. Stevens, superintendent of the bathing
beach, who today submitted report, in
which he expresses the opinion that it
would be impolitic for the Commissioners
to grant any direct permit for bathing at
the beach at night until lights, Ifeguards
and other adequate provisions for the safe
ty OF bathers can be had.
superintendent Objections,
The report is as follows:
THE inclosed letter of the special deliv-
cry messenger boys, asking permission to
battle at the beach in the night, and the
letter of Charles Frances, asking that the
beach be kept open cold days, were refer
red TO me for report by your memorandum
of transmittal dated July %, 1899 Hav-
ing fully investigated the matter, ] find as
follows: First, these messenger boys have
WOE the reputation of being the most dis
orderly and wantonly aggressive class who
q hny
ise they will behave properly we can af-
ford to do a great deal to accommodate
them. As to closing the beach at the peri
cd of cold rains, it has always been the
custom. but this year there have been
more such rains than in any two previous
seasons of the beach. 1 do not think it
humane or wise to risk the health of our
life guards by keeping them out on their
beats half naked, as they must be, to
watch over few shivering boys who ought
to be out of the water and the occasional
cranky man that wants to try it, but is sure
TO get enough in a few minutes. We never
close for warm shower, but if there is
cold wind that rapidly drives the bathers
out We don't let in more to try the ex-
pertinent until the weather changes. 1 see
no need of any change of practice in this
respect.
LAS to night bathing, deem it impolitic
for the Commissioners to grant any direct
permit until lights life guards and other
adequate provision for safety can be had;
yet 1 think your desire that the bathing
beach shall render the greatest benefit to
the greatest number can be accomplished
by remodeling article XXI of the police
regulations in such a manner that night
use of the beach is not prohibited That
may be done by mere Encouragement, with
a few words inserted, and I offer for your
consideration the following substitute
for article XXI:
Article XXI.
Section 1. The following acts are pro-
hibited at the bathing beach: Loud shout
ing, singing, giving false alarm, lettering
in the paSsageways, office or yard, lettering
on the wharves or floats by others than
bathers, entering the precints of the beach
in an intoxicated condition, or taking in
toxicants thereto. injuring, defacing or re-
moving any of the public property, digging
in the sand or mud or putting either upon
any person, throwing sticks, stones or other
materials with the exception OF light air
filled balls, scuffiing. ducking, bullying OF
any other rOughness rudeneSs, either
in language or action, that may cause ILL
feeling or danger to any person, interfering
in any manner with the lifeboat or it's man
carrying or enIicing into deep
water those who cannot SWIM fishing with
hooks anywhere in the waters of the bath
ing any materials or committing any nuis- |
ance on or in the vicinity of the beach, or |
in its waters, refusing to come out of the |
water when so directed by any of the beach |
after having been directed to leave it by !
any Of said officials. entering or leaving the |
Enclosure bounded by the fence starting at |
the northwest corner at the water and |
passing around the dressing houses and |
offices direct to the water, and by the shore
line back to the aforesaid northwest cor |
ner anywhere except through the office !
gate, or at any time when the said gate is
closed, taking or enticing dogs or other do /
mestic animals within any of the beach |
Enclosures, or into the waters of the bath |
ing beach, or rowing, sailing or otherwise |
propeliing any boat or other object into
or within the waters of the beach without
permission of the officer in charge. Any
person violating any provision of this ar
ticle shall, upon conviction thereof in the |
Police Court of the District of Columbia |
be fined sum not exceeding s. for each |
Offense."
His Recon- datiOn,
In accordance with the above l ask your
permission to instruct our night Waterman
not to arrest night bathers unless they are |
guilty of some breach of this new regula- |
ton, and it should be made public that |
none must come ashore within the yard at |
night Permission to swim dogs at the |
beach is not granted by the officer at any |
time when he thinks it would annoy or |
bathers.'
Mr.. Stevens recommendations will re- |
ceive the early consideration Of the Com |
mlssloners. and the petitioners will be |
promptly informed of the action taken by |
them.
$500 To the seashore and Re- $500 |
Urn TO De-,