New-York tribune., 1901-09-07
MEDALS FOR SWIMMERS.
INTERESTING CONTESTS HELD AT PORT
MORRIS FREE BATHS GRIEF OF
LITTLE GIRL WHO LOST RACE.

An trtiunelv display Of grief and outraged feeling
interrupted the sport at the Port Norris free swim
ming baths East One-hundred thirty y-sixth-st,
Yesterday morning. where the final exhibition Of the
girls' work Of the season and the examinations in
swimming were being held Seven little girls
tered the contest for medal TO be awarded TO the
swimmer who was swiftest and who showed the
best stroke. CnfOTt uuateiy the winner
closely followed b. second. who came in only four
inches behind, that factions sprang up at once
around the rivals the mother OF the defeated child
Joining in. Rushing up 10 her weeping daughter. a
crowd Of dripping children in her wake and with
baby tightly casped in one arm. she gesticuated
wildly with the other while she reiterated loudly:
NY girl ought 10 have the medal"
IF the professor says its fair, il is fair, asserted
one sturdy girl on other side, in whose opinion
her companions couCurred
oh what's the use fightin' over a medal?" broke
in another Where's the girls? 1 guess Well race
for leather medal" whereat the group broke into
a laugh and moved away, but without many
tears on the part Of the loser who with her mother
demanded her diploma and departed before the
close OF the exercises.
That is the great trorble with contests among
these children" said OF the teachers, with a
sigh. when all quiet again.
Aside from this brief tempest in a teapot IL
throng OF laughing happy girls that crowded the
platforms. The exercises were conducted under the
direction OF Gus William Sundstron general direc-
tor Of swimming, and of Mrs Mary G. Duggett
supervisor Of the girls swimming classes and of
evening play centres The baths Port Morris con-
stitute of the thirteen free swimming schools
conducted by the Board OF Education, vacation
school department this summer and thirty-fiye
hundred diplomas have been awarded during the
girls at Pori Morris
The diplomas awarded certify that the children
receiving them have learned ITO swim correctly the
plain breast stroke seventy-fve feet; that is the
length OF The bath ana back
was sight well worth seeing as the girls. in
q variety OF homemade bathing suits. shaking back
their streaming locks and well nigh threatening to
oeluge the directors fresh white shirt waist,
crowded up the steps out Of the water in their
eagerness 10 get the coveted diploma Not a few
proper movement omitted repeatedly, or be-
cause the action OF arms and legs otherwise
Since this is the third year that the baths have
Deeh open IN TINS way, q number or Older girls
were present who had learned the plain stroke in
previous years, and had now been taught side and
back swimming, floating and other forms Of the
a. az, Al tnoSe 70 Nhoin diplomas were given yes
terday knew nothing whatever OF swimming when
tney entered the course.
The summer course has continued for eight weeks
bat many Of the children learned to swim in a haIf
dozen lessons During the exercises one class was
put through the land dri. which is the first stage
before entering the water the children being taught
In classes Of six. These movements next prac-
useo IN me water while the swimmer is supported
BE- secured S 50 'a' greater care ana confidence may
we do not have nearly so many girls as BOYS in
have less confidence fl themselves, a rule This
year however" she continued. there is more in
terest shown than ever. The mothers now have
confidence in the teachers, and come themselves in
considerable numbers 20 look There is one mar
ned woman to-day among the graduates, while
youngest pupil TO receive a certificate is only six
years Old and her sister, eight years old. is gradu
ated also"
j evidently great treat to many OF these
children from the crowded districts Of Fordham
and The Bronx. There were screams of delight
when a passing steamer stirred up the waters of
the river outside and sent the rolling In
G%noer % the lighthouses and set the platforms rock
Ing ike ship at You should II at night
when the Sound steamers go by said OF the
teachers. Then have fun
Ihls morning occur the closing exercises for the
boys and g large number OF children are expected
Professor Sundstrom will also give exhibition OF
expert swimming before them The children will
probably continue TO frequent the baths until Octo-
Der, OF until the water becomes too cold, but the
teachers have finished their duties now, and will
not be present any longer.