Evening star., 1909-08-31
SW|MM|N' DAYS WANE
Municipal Bathing Pool to
Close September II.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
Commissioners Hope to Get Bigger
Appropriation.
AND THEN HAVE BIGGER POOL
Owing to Lack of Funds the Beach
Closes Before School
Opens.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
AND THEN HAVE BIGGER POOL

Toward the end of what has been the
most successful season in the history OF
the municipal bathing beach District Off
Gals who have it's future success at heart
are making big plans for next year. Ow-
ing to lack of funds the beach will be
closed September II.
That Congress will be liberal in its ap-
propriatons for this institution at the
next session is the hope expressed by
Commissioner West this morning. He
announced that he will ask the Commits
soncrs to submit to Congress plans and
estimates for a large increase in the ia
cilities of the beach. With only $1,000
available this year for the repair and
maintenance of the beach. those in
charge have been able to construct, at a
cost of $1,000, a large swimming pool
that has been utilized by about 4tO boys
every week day during the past sum-
mer, and properly maintain it.
In considering plans for enlarglng the
bathing beach Commissioner West and
Supt. w B. Hudson have talked over the
prac ctica bility Of making properly lined
pool Of the large pond just south of the
present swimming poclS In its present
condition, with mud bottoms and weeds
growing in plenty and with no practical
facilities for flushing or cleaning it, the
use by the youngsters with aquatic ambi
tions. Estimates are now being prepared to
show the cost of putting cement sides and
bottom in the pond and arranging for
water and sewer connections, so that
clean and pure water can be assured at
all times. The estimates will show. it is
declared. whether or not the project is
practicable.
District Committeeman Enthusiastic
\ member of the District committee in
the House visited the bathing beach in
company with Commissioner West earlier
in the summer. and after he watched the
swarms of boys p!unging into the clean
water of the swimming pools for a short
time he became enthusiastic in his in
dorsement Of the institution. He told
Commissioner West to submit est irnates
for practical improvement and en-
largemcnt of the beach ut the next ses-
sion ana promised to give his support
to plans which will give the youngsters
OF the city more opportunity TO learn the
art of swimming.
When the estimates for these improve
ments are submitted 10 Congress, Com
missioner West explained today there
will be a request to make the appropra-
ton Immediately available. If the act
is passed, as it probably will be- in April
creased facilities will be ready for use
next summer.
Lack of funds. it is announced will
necessitate the closing of the beach nine
days before the opening of school. A sus-
gestion has been made that an appeal be
issued to the puolic to raise $500 needed
to keep the beach open until September
20, but this has been frowned upon by the
leading officials in charge of the institu-
tiol. who are opposed to making it in any
way charitable affair. On account of the
weather. it is pointed out, there will
probably be few days after September
IL when it could be enjoyed.
Drownings Are Avoided
AS to the value of the beach, it is
pointed ont by Supt. Hudson. that in the
month OF the summer before it was
opened ten boys were drowned in District
waters. In the two months since oppor-
tunty has been given to youngsters to
swim in the bathing beach where guards
are always OF duty. only one boy has
been drowned in the river. Boys will
swim, Dr. Hudson maintains. and il is
better and safer to have them splash in
the bathing pools under the watchful eyes
of trained guards.