The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-29
M EN w o M FEN
 A ND T HIN G s

was talking to local movie mag nate the other day and when I asked him, How is business" he replied. Punk" and when questioned as to the reason he did not lay 1t con hard times. but sententiously said, swim min"
 It was a new idea to me, for had never dreamed that the swimming pools were drawing crowds away from the moving picture houses. and yet on the testimony of, one of the most successful men fin the business I had to give 1t attention. for he was evidently sincere in his statement.
 Everybody Is, In the swim" in Bir- mingham. It is a veritable fad, which has grown by leaps and bounds this season. Grandpa and grandma have got the habit. Papa and mama have l taken to the pools. The young men and young women throng them. and the kiddies are just reveiling in the wading places in the parks.
 
 Any afternoon you can find parties on their way to the holes in Little Cahaba or Big Cahaba, Shades and Turkey creek. while outdoor pools at Roebuck, East Lake, West Lake, Edgewater, Ensley and North Bir- minsham, and the indoor ones at the Birmingham Athletic club, Young Mems and Young women's Christian associations as well as the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany are crowded morning, afternoon and night.
 Hugh Hill told me that he had 15,- 900 tickets printed for Neptune Beach, thinking they would last for the entire season, but that they were used up in the month of June. Man ager Ryan tells of great crowds Hooking to West Lake, and I was told that one day this year more than 2500 went in East Lake. These are the public places on which I have +-had reports. I have no figures. on Ens1ey and North Birmingham.
 was talking with one of the heads in a department store and he in- formed me that up to Ju1y they had sold more bathing suits than they had in the whole 20 years put to- gether in which they had been In business, and that in spite of repeat ed and rush orders they had been unable to supply the demand. This has been the experience of most of the other general stores, while those making speciality of athletic goods have had w6nderful trade
 Now, I think it is fine thing that the people are taking to the water. and am glad that there are so many places where one @can indulge in aquatic sports, and only hope that next season Avondale will have fine outdoor pool, as well as at Behring's park. There ought to be an outdoor pool in every section of the city under the direct charge of the city and operated at nominal cost to the public.
 I remember back when only few patronized East Lake, and most of the patrons were men, but by degrees the women began to accompany the men, and 1t wasn't long before the children were included in the swim ming parties. Then 1t was rare thing to find a woman who could swim, but now hundreds Of them are experts, and there are thousands or children who are as much at home in water as ducks.
 And how the children do enjoy paddlins about in the water, jump- ing, diving, and swimming. l can stand by the bank or play about in inc water near them by the hour watching their happy faces, shrill cries, and antics. At first the little ones are usually scared but when handled properly soon get accustomed to the water and then just revel in splashina one another in fierce aquatic battles.
 But best of all is to see a whole family in the pool. The pride of the father in his ability to use the vari- ous strokes, the watchful care Of the mother. like an old hen with hatch ot ducks as she sees her boys and girls diving and swimming with ease all about her, while she staads iR their midst unable yet to make up her mipd to try. It makes a pretty scene.
 If YOU are not given to swimming vou. are missing something these warm days and nights, for 1t is easily within your reach to get to one or ths swimming places. The exercise :. fine. the water is cooling. and the ontinr adds a zest to the dog days. .3nuNxalNtAOs,stI