Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-15
Woman's Hour at
The Bathing Beach

" VERY day is woman's day at the
bathing beach. provided she
doesn't mind sharing the water
IL with men.
Particular mornings are set apart
for her exclusive use. however. no mere
unattended man being allowed to enter the
little basin on Tuesdays, Thursdays or
Saturdays from to 10 o'clock. Escorts
are permitted Supt. Stevens makes an
exception to this rule sometimes in favor
OF an occasional man bather who presents
faultless credentials and proves that his
work prevents him from getting a plunge
at any other hour.
About twenty women and girls are daily
patrons Of the beach Separate premises
are reserved for their use, with women
attendants in charge. The majority bring
their own suits, which entities them to free
use of the bath houses and beach. From
those who prefer a private room % cents
Is required, and a suit and towels may be
had for 10 cents Two inclined piers lead
from the houses to the water, and the
presence of the superintendent and several
life guards is sufficient to assure the most
timd.
The little basin" indeed. shows no prob
ability of such fatalities as made the old
bathing ground in the Potomac so danger
GUS II was the accidents there that neces-
STATED a change to the present location.
The basin Is simply a circular lnclosure
trimmed with willows From the center
rises an outlook which serves as a diving
PLATFORM and moored to the bank is
skiff ready for sudden demands. An OLD
and picturesque canoe lies half hidden IN
lily pads and long water grasses sprawl
over the water a yard or two from shore,
and high on the bank is sign that pro-
hibitS fishing. That the basin contains f1sh
worth catching is evidenced by occasional
FOIL x-ai ft- haS
in the sunshine. Under the trees near the
pier are benches for the comfort of chaper-
ons and for those who merely come to
look OIL.
While visitor was absorbing this pic
ture the other morning about I o'clock
young woman in dark f1annels flew down
the pier ard bounded in the water. She
landed knee deep, and before striking out
stopped with professional caution to lave
her head and wrists. Swoopng under, she
came to the surface half way between the
bank and platform. 1t was a picturesque
little exhibit. and must have pleased the
life guard who taught her how to swim.
Supt. Stevens gives his service freely to
any woman who wants TO learn to swim,
but the guards charge for teaching. 1t Is
a small sum, considering the advantage TO
be gained, and number of women and
girls are regular pupils.
In few moments dozen or more bath
ers had commenced to bob around in the
water, and while they were wading, duck
ing and floating in high giee two young
women tripped down the pier and slid into
the pond. They, too, We're in black fan
nels that cleared the knee. No baggy
boomers were visible to mar their free
dom and clog the movement of their limbs.
which were simply clad In black hose. Their
heads were capped and their arms bare.
The dresses were picturesque, sensible and
modest. As they hesitated over their plunge
a guard who stood a little beyond them,
breast deep, held up an arm and chal-
lenged them to duck. Immediately one of
the girls tossed herself under with the