Evening star., 1902-03-15
IMPROVED BATHING FACILITIES.
Some Needed Changes at the Swim
ming Pool


Being in the vicinity Of our bathing
beach few days ago and as the season will
shortly open," said a progressive citizen.
II could but note the improvements there
over few years ago. and also the urgent
need OF additional changes along these
lines.
TT Is a we'll known fact that other large
cities devote special attention to public
bathing facilities especially In New York
and Boston. where there are annually spent
large sums for these purposes. and statis-
tics concerning results carefully made and
largely commented upon. The annual sum
appropriated for the maintenance Of Wash
ington's public bathing facilities is too
small, and it is SO generally recognized.
This city Is favored in having almost
In its very center fine stone-encircled
basin Of water into which sewage does
not empty. 1t Is safe and smooth, with q
fairly good beach. but the limited facilities
at hand and the surroundings should be
materially enlarged and improved. Public
bathing Is now recognized in the light Of
an important sanitary necessity. hence the
attention given to this subject in other mu-
nicipaliies. The road. pathways and ap-
proaches to the beach after leaving the
winding drive around the monument are
uneven, muddy and In an altogether
wretched condition These should be raised.
leveied and graveied, as should also the
hummocks of earth covered with high, rank
weeds be obliterated.
THE bath houses and the beach, as well
as the floats. ought to be put In frst-class
condition, the fence painted, the shed jack
ed up. the visitors stand put in better or
der and more hitching posts and stalls for
bicycles put up. OF course. those In charge
Of the beach are not to be criticised. On
the contrary, they are to be commended
for the work done with the slender appro-
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alter the fact that the room for improve
ment Is marked and great. Improvements
of this nature in municipalities come only
after continued and determined agitation.
The Commissioners and the superintend-
ent OF the beach should have. and I be-
lieve they do receive. the moral support
OF all public-spirited citizens toward great
ly increased public bathing facilities. Pub
those who bathe. but It is almost an alb
solute municipality necessity for the pres
ervation of the general health and the
cleanliness of the citizens. The time for
the opening OF the beach Is nearly here,
and It Is to be hoped that this summer will
see some of the needed changes there which
are here suggested.
IF money cannot be raised by any
other means big benefit for this laudable
purpose might be had as am sure that
the general public would respond literally.
It should not be lost sight Of that the
wealthy and the well-to-do go away each
summer TO the SeaSnOre or TO the noun
tains, but there are thousands OF work.
ers who remain, and our bathing beach
offers the only means by which they may
avail themselves Of splashing around in
running water. If 1t be popularity sup
posed that the beach is patronized by
boys, it is an error. Men after their work
is ended and in the evening go there by
the thousands. and in the business hours
Of the day there are many women who en-
Joy q plunge in the Potomac. not always
SO muddy as at present.