Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-06
BATHERS REPORT
LESS FILTRATION
Take Mermaids Declare That Barring
the Legs Has Tendency TO More
Enjoyment of Sport
SWIM Now INSTEAD OF POSING
Fair One Discusses Advantages of
Eliminating Excess Attire for
the Beach Season

Chicago, July 6.-Chicago girls so to
the beach 70 swim ANY idea YOU
nav have had that they go there for
anv other reason is absurd,
That's what they told reporter yes
+erday. and they told him in a manner
that left no doubt in his mind.
He had gone forth 10 seek out the
reason for the difference between this
wears costumes and last seasons.
Twelve months ago the beaches were
lined with as many girls as now; but
YOU didn't see so much of 'em. And the
reporter went TO learn the reason
is II Parisian?' he asked. Has
Chicago adopted the new patterns be-
cause fashion dictates"
No
The answer came emphaticaIly. The
trembling reporter almost was set up
on with violence SO determined was
the effort TO make him understand.
Such was the Clamor for a moment
that not a single point was dstin-
guishable, and then an Amazon, in
what she said was a real swimming
suit" was allowed the fioor-or the
sand.
Her Explanation.
"You see this suit" she demanded.
We'll. I can swim in this. For three
years / wore those full skirted things.
with even fuller boomers. | wore
heavy stockings and stiff sOled shoes.
The suit weighed ton and the shoes
acted like buckets. I'd try three strokes
and then a mouthfuI Of water If
got any further Id be tuckered out
Now, wouldn't yOu-nO you men,
particularly -but wouldn't any one
rather see a suit like this than one of
..
il look more sensible, more athletic,
and as if a girl in one Of them could
move about in the water and take care
Of herself
Someone called them mems cos
tunes, but they're not, They're made
Of heavy jersey and most of them are
loose and long Skirted-that is, abOuc
10 the knees. Underneath these is a
complete suit like a mans one piece
suit. or course. We don't wear stock
ings or shoes. You don't see the men
wearing them, do vOu?"
But the Morality.
But" mumbIed the repOrte-
what about the-the-the mOraIity?'
"Fiddlesticks, You'll find all the
girls spend their time in the water
now They come here to swim and
not to wade around and then shiveT
on the beach jim a bale of water soaked
cloth that never gets dry and catch
cold.
But some Of them wear suits moro
like dresses" argued the reporter des-
pairingly.
Yes. some of those who are still
too conscious for the new suits
But they are shorter than last year
and of light weight either silk or al
paca as a rule, and YOU don't see many
boomers underneath usually there
are kellermans Even they are in
brighter colOTs and have more rib
hons Some Of them are slit down the
side OF the skirt. And the caps Ger
tainly are gayer."
"LeSS Flirting" Now.
Then you think they're all Tight?"
said the reporter, giving up
All right? Why, there's d different
spirit on the beach. 1t is more ath-
letIc There is less flirting. 1t Is
more healthfuI. You won't see any
spOOning It's another indication CT
the equality Of the sexes. You'll find
the Chicago young woman better for
lt-more independent, more self-re-
liant"
And she ran into the water and
with splash went under The re
porter felt his assignment had been
covered and returned TO the Office.