The Washington herald., 1908-07-17


launched by The Washington Herald. the
health department mas not yet been or
dered TO investigate the matter. No such
order had been received by that depart
ment I'D to yesterday
When COMMISSIONS West. who has
charge Of the beach, called into confer
ence Dr. Hudson. the superintendent he
was assured by that officer that the con-
ditions under his supervision are not so
bad as has been painted It IS admitted
however. that no inspection Of the beach
has been undertaken
DR.. William TindaH. chairman Of the
bathing beach committee, yesterday pre-
pared the following statement, emb0dylng
his personal views on the subject:
While some Of the recent structures IN
The Washington Herald respecting the
condition Of the public bathing pools
could not be refuted. the pools were a
source OF pleasure and physical iUstruc-
ton. and apparently not insaiUbrious 70
bathers in them L is true that the
water became very muddy or sandy when
a large number Of persons were IN H.
but that In the larger pool was clear
wholesome river water. such as frequent
tests have shown 10 be as potable as the
water not long ago used for domestic
purposes in some cities. and the water IN
the smaller pools was filtered water.
drawn from the mains which supply Po-
tonac water 70 our dwellings The bot
toms Of these small pools were coated
with sand. some Of which was 50 fine
that the feet Of the bathers soon stirred
il into the water and caused an unsightly
a appearance. Otherwise the pool was well
adapted to learners ana small children
1t should De considered that at the be-
ginning Of this season the Commissioners
had only a few dollars with which 10 put
the pools and buildings iu order and TO
ray the operating employees up 10 July L
After allowing for the cost Of the latter,
the amount left for improvements and
repairs. &c was less than 500. Much
credit Is due Mr.. oliver NJ Bright, who
was then superintendent for the 1ncchan-
ical skin and constructive judgment he
displayed in utilizing that meager re-
source. His work was not only very valu-
able in an experimental way, but prompt
" provided the boys with q safe bathing
place. Of which they would otherwise
have been deprived for some weeks
commissioners Interested.
The Commissioners. and especially
Commissioner West. have taken deep in
terest IN this municipal feature under
great dlscouragements- The bathing beach
service on the inner basin had hardly
been Installed In good working condition
when the general government directed It's
abandonment. in order TO give opportunity
for the development Of Potomac Park II
had not long before been ousted from the
tidal reservoir 20 permit the construction
Of the wall around that basin. thus de-
moIiShing the work and study OF years
The transfer TO tke present site intro
duced new and difficult problems, and left
the authorities no alternative but 10 try
| to adapt the fish ponds 70 the use OF
/ bathers OF 10 abandon the service alto
gether. The Commissioners wisely deter
mined upon the former course, and Il
l Congress had seen fl 20 second their sug-
/ gestions would now be able 20 install al
most ideal fresh-water bathing conditions
there
since the appropriations for the cur
rent fiscal year have become available
a marked betterment in these facilities
| has been effected. through the enthusias-
I tic efforts Of Dr. William b. Hudson. ths
! superintendent. who succeeded Mr.. Bright
I when the latter's services as q cOnstruc-
/ tor Of gymnastic appliances became II
Z greater demand for fitting cut the play
Z grounds. The principal new feature ha;
I been the adaptation Of one Of the old
Z brick lined fsh-breeding pools for tani
/ for learners and inexperienced swimmers
l II IS shallow enough 20 be perfectly safe
. and is easily filed with filtered water and
I enptied 50 that its contents are at al
{ times kept slightly and clean The Ek,
! transformation OF an adjoining brick lined
I pool which IS in progress will soon b
completed The rigid but tactful enforce
ment Of the rules by Dr. Hudson main
tains a condition OF order and propriety
I No smoking. swearing, OF boister0us con
/ duct is permitted Every boy is put or
his good behavior as the price OF hi.
3 enjoyment Of the privileges Of the place
The two principal objects sought ar
] the teaching Of the art OF swimming and
the incubation and encouragement o.
I good habits Of conduct
1T is hoped and believed that the ex
I perience from the operation Of these tv,
: converted pools Will demonstrate the sd
I vantage Of establishing Ike facilities Il
/ different parts Of the District. so that &
I will not be necessary for those living f.
sections remote from the river 10 &,
. far from their places Of residen5, 10 US
I them These pools should be near II
I public schools, so that, as reconmende,
By the bathing beach committee severa
years ago the art Of swimming might b
a part OF the curriculum + the lowe
and middle grades Of those schools. a
Wei as accessible TO the public generally
To Educate svImmers-
In my judgment these pools should b
solely devoted TO teaching persons {
swim. and not used for mere bathing pur
poses. The public has duty TO teacl
this accomplishment. so often necessar
for safety and usefulness; but no on
with any gumption need resort to II
river or a swimming pool for a bat
which can as effectively be taken with
gallon Of water in a basin OF tub.
1t would be well also to establish smal
floating or land stations at points alon
the river front where bathers who have
certificate from the superintendent Of tn
bathing service that they are skillfu
swimmers might obtain bathing suit
and have their clothing cared for by at
tendants who should be capable and couT
ageous swimmers and boatnnen. eQuippe
with appliances needful Tor reIsjerin
prompt assistance 70 those IN danger
This would not only give ambitious swim
mers a broader field for displays of ski
and for diversion. but relieve the smalle
pools OF those who would not need then
1t would be ungraceful 10 close thes
observations without expressing the obi
cation which the community is under {
Mr.. W. X Stevens for his long years q
endeavor to secure public bathing accom-
modations for the District and awaken
. ] g--%..