The Washington times., 1902-07-20
HIS Friends Scout Com
plants Regarding the
Bathing Beach.
EDITOR CLkUDYS LETTER
In Communication to Times Recites
That Mr. Stevens Has Given Money
and Labor to His Work-Status OF
Bunch Of Bathers."

The many friends of Mr. W. y. Ste
vens, the superintendent OF the bathing
beach, rallied to his support yesterday
in the contention which has arisen over
the complaint Of Mr.. John E. Smith. al
leging mismanagement at the beach.
Several visitors at the District Build
ing expressed themselves forcefully
regarding the complaint and the COM
plainant. who, they assert. has hidden
behind the name of Smith, without Civ
ing any other clue 20 his identity,
At the District Building the general
opinion was expressed that all causes
for complaint would be removed as soon
as the new beach on the inner basin is
established. No date has been set for
this, as yet. but now that the appropria-
tion is available it will not be long de-
layed.
Commissioner Macfarland, in his de-
sire TO DO justice to all concerned, and
in recognition of the fact that all mat
ters pertaining 10 the beach are under
the immediate direction of Mr.. Ross,
simply noted the receipt of the report
and directed that action upon 1t should
be delayed until the return Of Mr.. Ross.
Deserving of Consideration.
Mr. Stevens. it is said. is deserving of
;he greatest consideration, as it was
through his efforts. and through the ex-
penditurc of money our of his own
pocket, that the beach was first estab-
lfcb.ad r.
md hard in the interest of the bathors.
among whom he is said to be held in
the highest esteem.
Acting as spokesman for Mr.. Ste
vens' friends, Mr.. C. H. Claudy, of the
American Inventor" yesterday indited
the following letter as representative
of the feelings of himself and of his
fellow sympathizers with Mr.. Stevens.
ITO the Editor of The Times In your
morning edition you give space to the
complaint OF John E. Smith regarding
the bathing beach, and Superintendent
Stevens management thereof. Your
valuable paper is making Il sturdy at
tempt to represent right and justice:
you have an excellent opportunity right
here to show up the above mentioned
kicker, and to tell the people of Wash
ington the facts in the case.
Gives Labor, Time and Money.
Mr.. Stevens is not rich man. He is
many years past youth. Yet there are
many bathers at the beach who have
seen him laboring with his own hands.
dragging lumber, carpentering, survey
ing. and repairing because he had not
the funds with which to have the work
done.
Those Of us who have patronized the
beach for years know that Mr. Stevens
has often had TO pay out of his own
pocket for repairs and supplies which
the appropriation of Congress was not
large enough to cover
If it had not been for Mr.. Stevens
and his untiring efforts, Washington
would have been many times without
a public bathing beach, and the death
record by drowning would have greatly
increased. No one knows better than
Mr.. Stevens the many improvements
which ought TO be made in the beach,
but as stated before. he is not a rich
man, and must needs wait for public
money.
1T is, OF course. very unfortunate
tAAoN 81 ~A&4ANh NDNAN AiSN Sc a III Inn Va
water, and that his bathing suit was
not satisfactory. II is of no conse-
quence that Mr.. Stevens has ,abored
long and tirelessly to give Washington
coed and safe place TO bath-Mr. Smith
went thirsty. Bathing suits. which all
who frequent the beach know are al
ways clean, are provided at minimum
charge. but because they happened to
be old and faded from much use, Mr..
Smiths ideas of style were offended.
and Mr.. Stevens. who has hundred
friends to one detractor, must suffer the
publication of such terms, as that old
superintendent, and on the bum
Status of Bunch of Bathers."
Such language settles the status,
both Of the writer and the bunch of
bathers, which he claims TO represent
very effectively, but when applied to a
man whose devotion to his idea and
his duty is the admiration OF Washing
ton swimmers. nevertheless, carries its
sting from its uAjustness.
4 should be glad 10 have you publish
This in the name OF justice and decency. |
and because you are the Washington |
Paper for Washington People make IL |
as prominent as the letter of detrac- !
a.