The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-26
WANTS CHILDREN
TO LEARN TO SWIM
Plumbing Inspector Recon-
mendS Water Course for
Public Schools.
WOULD HAVE POOLS
IN THE BUILDINGS
Present Facilities for Bathing
Beach Severely Criticised in
Annual Report.

That swimming be made part OF the
curriculum of the public schools is the
IecOmm endation made by H B. Davis,
Inspector of Plumbing, in his annual re-
port TO the Commissioners.
During each summer we have
throughout the country" says Mr.. Da-
Wis, 1.-THE usual and unnecessary fatal
accidents from drowning, many being
young people. The means of making
such accidents rare lies in teaching the
children TO swim at a time when they
can best be instructed In the art of
swimming When the total cost is so
little, compared with the value Of one
single child's life, IL does not seem wise
70 longer delay providing pool baths.
The cost of providing these pools would
not exceed 5000. One large pool in a
white school and one in a colored school
would furnish sufficient accommodation
to make every school graduate a swim
mer"
Criticises Bathing Beach.
AS a member Of the bathing beach
committee, Mr.. Davis severely criticises
the present facilities for bathing.
with the water front. such as this
city has" says Mr. Davis, 1t seems a
shame that IL is not provided with q
mud-hole which is unfit for a swimming
pool, being better adapted for the pro-
pagatiOn Of mosquitoes. water lilies,
snakes, and frogs than a bathing pool.
The small boy gives little attention to
such conditions, but the adult objects
seriously TO bathing in such a place.
What we need is a first class beach.
provided with permanently constructed
buildings designed and finished artistic
ally with approaches, hedges, and flow
Sr beds, aTtistiCally arranged. Such a
location could be obtained on the west
bank Of the tidal basin and would not
interfere in any way in my judgment
with the Improvements that have been
made by the Government in this park
As to Public Baths.
The plumbing inspector again recon-
mends that provision be made for public
baths.
Washington is the only city of any
size in the United States that cannot
give it's citizens or visitors a municipal
bath. Chicago has been furnishing free
baths (Open all the year rOund) TO its
adult poor for about fifteen years, and
Boston, Baltimore, Brooklyn, New York,
Albany. Syracuse, Cleveland, San Fran
followed the lead set by the more pro-
gressive cities.
Washington would certainly reap
The benefits Of public bath houSes in
the Improvement III slum and alley con-
ditiOns. and 1 earnest ly recommend that
this item in my estimate be again sub
mitted, and that an effort will be made
20 have 1t retained and suitable apprO-
priation provided"
Years Work.
During the year 1,S41 complaints were
filed in the office Of the Inspector
against defective plumbing Forty
three warrants for various violations OF
the plumbing regulations, unlicensed
plumbers. unlicensed gasfitters. and
others were obtained, and fines aggre-
eating S107 were imposed in the Police
Court.
Mr.. Davis recommends the appoint
ment Of two additional inspectors, and
that the salary Of the inspectors be in
creased from 81. 900 to 1880 per annUm.