The Washington herald., 1920-07-18
Blonde Venus Captures Cup From 81 Beauties
While Splashing 71rong of Bathers Cheer
Edith Margretta Williams
Wins Title Of Capitals S
Most Beautiful Bathing
Girl = Elizabeth Roach
Gets Award for Prettiest
Suit.

She Is only a little more than
halfway through her teens. Her
hair Is the color OF a sunswept
field of ripened wheat. Her pro
portions would well stand compari-
son with those Of the Venus de
Milo. She is tall, yet stately and
graceful. Her name Is Edith Mar
gretta williams. She lives at 50
Seaton place northwest. and she Is
"washington's most beautiful bath
ing girl"
This was the unanimous opinion
Of a group Of art critics who acted
as judges at the 1920 bathing beau
ty contest at the Tidal Basin bath
ing beach yesterday afternoon.
e,oOo witness show.
Six thousand pairs of admiring
eyes were turned upon the girl as
the judges picked her out OF be-
wildering array Of Washington
beauty wearing beach suits OF all
colors. Six thousand lusty voices
gave approval to the decision. Six
thousand faces pushed forward and
5000 elbows did their duty as u
squad of cameramen began to
work. II required all the force of
the beach policemen and lifeguards
to keep the surging throngs behind
the ropes.
Elizabeth Roach, 16 years old. OF
1867 Newton street northwest. her
golden curls tumbling to her waist.
bathing suit that combined good
taste with color harmony and. con-
sequently. beauty. She was award
ed the prize for the most attractive
suit.
Miss Roach ranged her dainty
five-foot form beside the statuesque
winner of the beauty prize and
smiled as the cameras clicked.
Suit Made for Water.
The judges chose little Miss
Roach's suit as the prettiest be-
cause 1t was made neither for the
purpose of revelation nor sugges-
tion. and would stand wear in the
water. Scores of the unlucky ones
attracted ready attention by their
suits-or the lack OF them-but Miss
art and skill.
The crowds began TO gather at
the beach long before the appointed
hour of o'clock. Upsetting all
previous records. there were 1000
bathers in the water and on the
beach when the contest opened.
Approximately 1000 more Wash
ingtcnians arrived for the exclusive
purpose Of viewing the beauty show.
! Those who were a little ahead of
time saw the Misses Campbell per-
form Scotch dances on the sand
| Then the Judges arrived and the
beach suddenly became flooded with
color from the suits Of the con-
testants. And then the fun began.
Hard to Decide.
EiEhty-five girls marched before
the judges on a stand below tho
beach pavilion. while the bathers
janmed against the ropes that
stretched the length OF the beach.
I icheered enthusiastically. For a full
! half-houT the contestants paraded
The judges didn't seem to want to
stop.
I Finally they selected fifteen girls
from the entire assem5lage. The
girls stood in a row and looked
their sweetest, and the judges tried
to look severe Graveiy they con-
suited each other.
/ Five minutes later two Washing
4 ton girls were the happiest in the
! city. A silver loving cup was given
10 each. the crowds cheered and
went back into the water. and the
show was over.
The judges were Seymour ~
Stone. noted portrait painter; Kath-
! crime Brooks. music and art critic;
Rudolph Dc Zapp. president of the
French Club and art critic. and Mrs
David w. Kincheloe. wife OF Repre-
, sentative Kinchcloc. of Kentucky.