Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-25
D. c. MAY PROVIDE
APOOLFOR WOMEN
Popularity of Municipal Bath
ing Beach Calls for
Extensions.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
EXPECTED TO BE BROKEN
Officials Point With Pride to Six
Years Of Operation With
out Fatality.

Increased attendance Of women at the
municipal bathing beach this season
may lead to the establishment of a
pool for their exclusive use next year.
The District Commissioners are con-
sidering the feasibility of turning, over
to the women the pool now maintained
for colored persons. If this plan is
adopted Congress will be asked to pro-
vide funds for a new beach for colored
patrons, which probably will be located
in the southwest section.
Ladies days have so increased in
popularity that it is evident that steps
soon must be taken to enlarge the
facilities of the bathing beach. AL
ready requests are beginning to pour
in on the District authorities that
women be allowed use of the pools Sun
days. 1t Is claimed that this Is the
only day on which shop girls and others
who work during the week may visit
the beach.
Schedule Changes Unlikely.
There is little likelihood of any changes
beinb made in he existing schedule how
ever. as it is pointed out that there are
hundreds of men and boys who would
go to the river for swim if they were
Sundays. thereby increasing the danger
of drownings.
Backed up by Dr. William B. Hudson,
superintendent. the Commissioners are
DESTROYS of making the beach particular
ly attractive to men and boys, so that
fewer of them will be tempted to visit
the river. 1t is realized, however, that
| women are constantly manifesting a
greater interest in swimming. and that
provision soCn must be made to meet
this demand. 1t is more than likely that
the Commissioners will include in the
establishment of new pool as outlined.
Six Years Without Fatality.
Commissioner Newman. who recently
voisited the beach, expressed himself
as highly pleased over the manner in
which this institution Is being con-
Quoted. Although from 1900 to 1900
persons are given use of the pools
daily, there has not been a fatality dur
ing the six years that the institution
has been under the supervision Of DIR.
Hudson.
An idea of the responsibility tina. is
lodged in this official may be gained
from a visit to the beach. Frequently
as many as 500 small boys may be
seen in the water at one time. Half {
them may be beginners. The most
trivial mishap. such as the humping OF
one boy into another, may cause confu-
sion that would result dtsastrously.
were not the guards constantly on the
lookout and ready to render assistance
at a moments notice.
System obtains throughout the institu-
ton, and it is directly due to this fact
that no fatalities have occurred. Begin
ners are assigned to pool IN which the
oh
they are given an opportunity to get on
friendly terms with the water and learn
the rudimentary principles Of swimming.
How Swimming Is Taught.
The so-called broad stroke is taught to
beginners. This method is preferred by
DR.. Hudson because 1t enables novice
more easily to keep his head above water
annd gain confidence in himself. The side
arm stroke is next acquired. and after
this instruction is given in diving and
floating The crawl and trudgeon strokes.
which are used in racing, are post-grad-
uate accomplishments
In learning the broad stroke. begin
ners are told to rest the hands on the
bottom in shallow water and practice
the leg movement first. The legs are
bent and brought upward with the
heels together and the knees apart.
then Strengthened and spread wide. then
brought together straight.
In the arm movement the hands must
be held together in front of the chest,
palms down. They must be extended
forward. then with palms turned back
spread sideward. then returned to the
chest The difficulty Is to combine the
arm and leg movements. but under the
tutelage Of the guards this Is soon mas
tered
Diving is taught from a board never
higher than eighteen inches above the
surface of the pOOl Applicants are first
required to stoop down and fall head