Evening star., 1903-08-01
SAFEGUARDS ASKED
BATHING BEACH TO HAVE LOOK
OUT PLATFORMS.
Venturesome Swimmers and Others
Will Be Protected by This
Method.
pecial Correspondence Of The Evening Star

special correspondence OF rNeiUs Star
ATLANTIC CITY August l, 1893.
Atlantic City is rent in factions over the
question Of the adoption of additional
safeguards against bathing accidents in
the surf. One side contends that the
adoption of any additional devices for
this purpose would tend to alarm the
bathers by calling attention to the fact
that there is element of risk in surf
bathing. The other side takes the ground
that additional precautions will have the
effect of instillng confidence in the bathers
and that most accidents are occasioned by
lack of confidence 1t is an undisputed
fact that the bathing beach here is the saf-
est on the Atlantic seaboard and that in
proportion to the number of people who
enter the surf every season there are fewer
accidents than in any other seaside resort
in the world. The city council has been
considering the subject for weeks past
and finally reached the decision that every
device toward the protection of the bath
should be adopted simply in the way
of precautionary measures and to inspire
confidence in the minds Of the bather. Dur
ing the discussion on the subject Ii was
agreed that not one person in ten thou
sand needed any safeguard in the surf and
that they were only for the protection of
the ignorant and the restraint of the fool
hardy The council has authorized the
mayor with the advice Of captains of life
guards. to mark a danger line in the surf
by means of buoyS beyond which venture
some swimmers will not be allowed to go.
The guards are also given police power
to arrest any one diSregarding their warn
ing to keep within this line and fixing the
penalty for disObedience at 500 or an
Imprisonment of thirty days. At the same
meeting of council the officials were au-
thorized to construct seven lookout plat
forms which will be used as observation
towers by the guards and also a place OF
protection from the curious crowds for
the resuscita lion of persons overcome in
the surf. The construction of these plat
forms was ordered several weeks ago. but
owing to a conflict of authority the work
was not done.
A contract has finally been signed which
will give to Atlantic City the finest theater
in the state. The parties to the contract
are John l.. Young proprietor of the Ocean
Pier and Messrs. Klaw & Erlanger and
Mr.. Calm. on behalf of the theatrical trust.
The theater will be constructed on the site
of the present music hall on the ocean
200. 1t will be thoroughly modern and
up date in all of its appointments and
will cost in the neighborhoDd of 100000.
The theater will be erected by Capt. Young
at his own expense, the trust undertaking
to provide the best dra amatic operate and
scenic productions of the year in this the
alter with the original cast and scenery.
The contract calls for the beginning of
building operations September Il and the
completion of the play house the first of
February 1t is said to he the intention of
the trust to use this theater for first FRO
year.
Attorney General Knox is a guest at the
Hotel Chelsea. where he will remain for
a few days rest.