Imperial Valley press., 1914-12-03

physical exercise, but is not cleansing.
The public bath should provide the
means of thoroughly cleansing the
tody before going into the pool. This
is accomplished best by warm show
ers and q generous application of
soap. The continuous spray of the
shower supplies fresh water to the
body, thus keeping it from contact
with that which has been fouled as
in a bathtub. The most approved
types of free municipal baths give
the preference to the shower In .
large public bath recently opened in
Troy, New York, only two tubs were
provided in comparison with thirty
showers. In the Third Ward Bath
of Newark, New Jersey, ninety five
showers are provided, each of which
is equipped with a special mixing
value to prevent scalding by too great
a flow of hot water.
The swimming pool should always
be accompanied by the cleansing
bath, and the model bath house sup
Flies both. The favorite arrangement
has the pool in the center with show
ers arranged on the sides. A German
director of physical culture urges that
the roofs over a swimming pool
should be glass, admitting the sunlight
and arranged SO that sliding sections
can be open to fresh air in suitable
weather. The old idea of swimming
/ pool in the basement of building
! where sunlight and air are impossible,
is becoming obsolete.
In addition to the bath houses.
municipalities are now providing
bathing beaches which give all the
| advantages of the seaahore to sum
ner bathers, except, of course, the
stimulant of salt water. The bathing
beaches are popular during the sum
mer, but the bath houses are avail
able all the year. The bathing beaches
are supplied with water at its natural
temperature SO the season Of their ac-
tivities falls between May end Oc-
tober.
One of the most ambitious projects
for municipal bathing beach yet
considered in this country has lately
been outlined for the city of Washing
ton under the direction of the Secre-
tary of War. The plans have been
prepared by Col. William w. Harris.
A low body of water in the southern
section of the city is known as the
Tidal Basin This basin covers 110
acres and has an average depth of
water approximately nine feet at
high tide. The plans submitted by
Colonel Harts include the utilization
of this whole basin as water re-
sort for the national capital. They re-
Guire the erection of model bath
house, an artificial beach and two
large concrete piers.
The artificial beach is to be 400 feet
in length and to extend between the
two piers. The piers are to be "T'
shaped and are to extend out into the
water for at least hundred feet. The
top of the ct" will form an observa-
ton point for visitors who desire to
observe the sports in the water. The
beach is to be covered with sand and
will be gently sloping so that those
who do not swim may enjoy exercise
in the water without danger of going
over their depth. The piers will mark
the safety limit for those who can
not swim well. Outside of the piers
will be a large expansc of water Civ
ing ample opportunity for expert
swimmers to exercise their skill. Boat
ing will also be encouraged in the
basin. A certain number of boats will
be provided for hire and encourage
ment will be given to all those who
desire to keep their own boats upon
the beach. The safety of the basin
will appeal to amateur cancers as
we'll as to swimmers.
The bath house is to open on the
beach. A social hall is to be in the
center, and also . 'efectory where
light refreshments may be secured.
The privilege of managing this rcfec-
tory will be leased to the highest bid
dcr, who will be kept under federal
supervision in order that the quality
Of the food and the prices charged
may be under control. The total cost
'of this great bathing plant will be
$l5o.0O0, including the piers and the
beach
St. Louis and Baltimore have sue
cessfully operated bathing beaches
similar to the one to be established in
Washington. They are valuable ad
juncts to the public bath facilities of
these cities in st. Louis arrange
ments have been made for lighting the
beach with electric lights. Water
sports Of various kinds are introduced