The Washington herald., 1912-08-08
FAIR SEX WANT
swimming POOL
Agitation Started Here for Build
ing Gymnasium for Capital
Women.
THE COMMISSIONERS FAVOR IT

The establishment Of gymnasium and
swimming pool in the central part OF the
city for the use Of women is being agi-
tated by representatives Of the fair sex
In the National Capital.
The plan has the approval Of the Com
missioners and many of the prominent
District officials and business men. The
project is receiving praise from every
side, and only q question OF finance
stands between a fair dream and fond
reality. The Commissioners would glad
ly include In their estimates an item for
the establishment OF the gymnasium and
pool. but they know that 1t would rap
idly be thrown out by Congress.
The present situation is regarded by
those interested In the project as shame
full. There are only two places In the
city of Washington where a woman may
indulge In swimming - the Municipal
Bathing Beach, down near the Tidal
Basin. and the pool operated in connec-
ton with the gymnasium at the Ingram
Memorial Church. in the northeast sec
ton OF the city.
Commissioners Interested.
THE plan for the establishment of q
gymnasium and swimming pool 10 ideal.
said Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph las
night. THE Commissioners have alwayi
been very much interested in this mat
ter. Several years ago we sent to Chi
cago for details concerning recreation
centers there. with view to adopting
them here. Our plan was to establish
these centers in the various sections o
the city, SO that every citizen, whether
man or woman. would have equal ad
vantages with respect to physical train
ing and athletic Indulgence. We still
have the plans which the Chicago au
thorities sent us. Some day We hope tt
adopt them here.
But at present we must let them re
main on the shelf We should not hest
tate to include in the annual estimate,
an item for the establishment Of a rec
reation center II we thought Congress,
would give II Just consideration Judg
ing from the Insignificant appropriation
made by that high body for the mainte-
nance of the Municipal Bathing Beach and
the District Playground work, the rec
reation center project would not receive
much attention"
DR.. Hudson Favors Scheme.
DR.. William B. Hudson. superintendent
OF the Municipal Bathing Beach. voiced
his hearty approval last night of ths
project.
The proposition is one deserving OF
just support" he said. "At present there
are only two places In the city where
women may swim. and they are located
In neighborhoods not easily accessible to
the great masses of women. One is the
Municipal Bathing Beach. Its remote
ness from the city proper prevents many
women from enjoying its benefits. The
pools are well patronized by the fair Sex
and the attendance Is growing every
day, but the fact remains that there are
many women kept away on account OF
the distance.
THE other place is the pool at the
Ingram Memorial gymnasium. This IS
not a public institution, and not every
one is admitted to its privileges. Besides,
It is in the northeast section of the city
and is consequently convenient to the
residents OF only that immediate neigh
borhood.
The bathing beach undoubtedly has
the larger patronage. But II must be
remembered that the municipal pools
can be maintained only during the sum
mer months. from about June Is to Sep
tember Is. During the remainder Of the
year women have practically no swim
ming facilities"
by the erection in a short time OF the
new home of the Young Women's Chris
tian Association at the corner of Thir-
teenth and I Streets Northwest This
building will be equipped with large
bathing pool and a spacious gymnasium
for the use Of women.