The Washington herald., 1916-05-20
Swimming Pools.

One OF the most significant features OF
Americas trend, during recent years, toward
outdoor recreation and open-air living has been
the rapid increase in the number OF swimming
pools in this country, writes John Anson Ford
in the Popular Mechanics Magazine for June.
1t was SO recently as in 1885 that Philadelphia
established what the first municipal swim
ming pool in the United States so far as is
known. Today the demand for wholesome out
door recreation is widespread that municipal
pools are part of the play facilities of almost
every city; schools are equipped with pools; the
homes not alone of the rich but of persons Of
moderate means have indoor and outdoor swim
ming facilities; great corporations are making
similar provision for their employees and such
agencies as the Young Mems and Yourg Wom-
ems Christian associations are spending enor-
nous sums to make healthfu swimming possible
for the young men and women who belong to
these organizations.
Aside from the recreative aspect there is
another incentive for this movement which has
found expression in SO many different channels.
Estlnlates based on the census figures of 1913,
and previous years, for majority of the North
ern States indicate that persons are meeting
1000 or 10000 annually. This fact in itself is
suflclent reason for establishing facilities for
supervised swimming in every city and village
Ior rather misconception as to the cost-un-
doubtedly has prevented many communities from
acquiring proper swimming facilities. As mat
ter OF fact the cost of many pools has been
livery moderate indeed. Oakdale Cal, is town
| OF I,5oo which has pool that cost 81 400 1t is
SO situated that water from the pool is used from
time to time to flush the sewer system. Concrete
was used in the construction. The pool is in
the form of an ellipse, measuring 40 to 90 feet,
and has maximum depth OF 9 feet. The pool
holds 100000 gallons. The expense Of mainte-
nance has been made very slight by placing it
in charge OF the fire department. The nearby
river, which formerly was source OF anxiety
to parents because frequented by the boys, is
now deserted
The town of Grand Rapids, Wis, has very
attractive swimming pool which cost $1,000. The
walls OF concrete and the bottom is covered
with sand. AS special precaution against acc-
dents in the water. large suice gates, which
can be easily thrown open, were constructed, by
But homes, as we'll as municipalities. insttu-
tons, public and private, and amusement parks,
are now being equipped with swimming pools.
In some cases these have cost less than $Ioo.
a, homemade pool is held by three brothers. the
oldest OF whom is IS years. These bows did the
ex5avatng g themselves for pool Is by 10 feet
the pool and along the upper edges Of the
slanting sides, boards were fastened to frame
work which projected down into the earth at
purchased 2I-2 barrels of cement and with
the aid of one covered the earthen walls
and floor with coatirg Of concrete Their
total cash expenditure vas only $3.50
In contrast to these swimming facilities is
the magnificent pool emily completed on an
estate at Lake Forest, I'll. At an expense Of
many thousands Of dollars the reservoir was
built on the side of a bluff some distance below
the residence and overlooking Lake Michigan.
A winding flight of steps leads from the house
down to the pool. In addition, a shaft, in
which an electric elevator is installed, was sunk
directly beneath the house to depth Of 80
feet. From the lower end OF the shaft a
hla-li 81
structed to a splendidly appointed bath-house
situated at the edge Of the pool.