Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-24
NEW BATHING BEACH
SUGGESTIONS MADE By THE AD-
VIsoRY COMMITTEE.
Construction Of New Bath Houses Re-
ported-Use Of the Inner
Basin.

The advisory committee on the bathing
beach. composed of DR.. VIM. Tsndall, II.
B. Davis and W.J Douglas. has submitted
its annual report to the Commissioners. 1t
is stated that the attendance at the bath
ing beach during the season Of 1902 was
2.145- or o.643 less than that Of the pre-
ceding season. This falling Off in attend
ance was principally due to the unusual
GOODNESS Of the summer. but partially to
the uncertainty az; to when the bathing
beach would be rsmoved.
The bathing beach has been removed to
the inner basin in pursuance of the legis-
lation contained in the sundry civil appro-
priatIon law approved June 3d. 1902, requir-
Ing its transfer to the inner basin.
Through the courtesy and public spirit OF
Colonel Theodore A. Bingham, in charge OF
public buildings and grounds, the removal
was deferred until after the close of the
bathing season, in order that the enjoy
ment of the advantages afforded the peo-
pie by the bathing beach might not be pre-
maturely interrupted nor curtaiied.
New Bath Houses.
Under the supervision of Mr.. w. ]. Doug
las of the committee, and In accordance
with the provision In the District appro-
priation bill approved July 1, 1902. appro-
priating 1000 for removing the bathing
beach to a site on the inner basin, ample
bath house accommodations have been
erected at that point. and a flume placed
at the inlet to the inner basin by which
the introduction of water thereto and its
discharge therefrom may be regulated at
will.
About 500 cubic yards of sand have been
purchased for the new beach and delivered
on the site. In order that 1t may be prop
erly spread 1t will be necessary to draw
on enough water in the inner basin to
expose the bottom, when the weeds may be
removed and the beach thoroughly graded
and sanded.
The drainage of the basin by pumping
may not be attempted on account Of the
cost. so that the work has been postponed
until spring, when It Is thought that the
prevailing northwest winds in conjunction
with low tide will reduce the water to
such a level that Upon closing the flume
gate under sgeh a condition the work
OF cleaning and sanding the beach may
sum has been reserved from the appropci-
alton for this parpoSe.
Appeal to Secretary Of War.
While the contemplated use Of the inner
basin for a public bathing plant is largely
an experiment. 1t IS believed that 1t win
afford greater security for those who can
not swim than was given at the old bath
ing beach, and that the water can be
changed with such frequency that Its con-
dition will not became deleterious nor Of
fensfve to batflers. But as large class of
patrons Of the 5old bathing beach who can
swim, and expert swimmers generally, will
doubtless desire to avail themselves of the
more extended bathing advantages which
the contiguous tidal reservoir would afford,
1t Is recommended that the Commissioners
endeavor to enter into an agreement with the
Secretary of War to assign to them, for
that purpose, as contemplated by the pro-
yiso in the sundry civil appropriation law
referred to, the use Of portion of the tidal
rpSerVnir c0nftp1lO1S m thh inner ho al
exceeding 400 feet long, next to the wall,
and extending out into the reservoir not
more than 200 feet. with the privilege Of
placing and maintaining therein floats and
other bathing appliances Of such character
as they may deem most suitable.
On the 9Th Of last August, In pursuance
Of a recomrp endation by the committee.
the Commissioners instructed Mr. w J.
Douglas, the engineer OF bridges, and a
member Of the bathing beach committee,
to visit the public bathing establishments
Of New York, Boston and other cities, to
obtain information respecting any features
judgment, might with advantage be adapted
to the new bathing beach, provided for
In the inner BASIN A copy of Mr.. Doug
las report Is appended.
Public Baths in the City.
The committee has never regarded the
subject of all-year public baths as within
its purv1ew. but takes the liberty to add
its Endorsement to the revival Of official in
terest in that branch of the subject, so
soon as the conditions necessary to their
successful instalFnent shall obtain The es-
Establishment of such baths, and of public
bathing places on the river front, was
discussed in an annual report OF the Com
missioners
The committee also suggests that the
teaching of the art of swimming should
be added to the curriculum OF physical ex-
ercises In the public schools. This accom-
plishment is SO easily acquired under COM
petent instruction and so useful, that 1t
would seem to be public duty to make 1t
part of the educational equipment of
every public school pupil of suitable age
and v1gor.