Evening star., 1925-02-18
WALSH WOULD END
TIDAL BASIN BEACH
Senator Seeks Abolition of
Both Old and New Bath
ing Places.

A proposal to do away with the
bathing beach for white people in
the Tidal Basin and at the same time
put stop to the construction of the
beach for colored people in the Basin
was submitted to the Senate this aft
ernoon by Senator Walsh of Montana
during the consideration of the Dis
trict appropriation bill.
Senator Walsh had previously at
tackled the proposed bathing beach
for colored people in the Tidal Basin.
Senator Copeland of New York
asked If 1t was the purpose to con-
tinue the bathing beach for the
white people and to exclude that for
the colored. He said that SO far
as sanitation is concerned, he did
not believe the bathing beaches in
the Tidal Basin should be discon-
tinued; that the bathing In the Basin
was as sanitary as in the river and
probably more SO.
Would End Both Beaches.
Senator Walsh Immediately an
nounced that he intended to do away
with the white bathing beach as well
as to stop work on the colored beach
Senator Broussard of Louisiana OBJ
Jected to this proposal on the ground
that the white beach was a going con-
cern and that the colored beach had
not been established
Senator Simmons of North Carolina
strongly urged Senator Broussard to
withdraw his objection, saying that
ne was opposed to having any bath
ing in the Tidal Basin.
Would Merge Amendments.
Senator Walsh then reviewed his pro-
posai to consolidate the Senate commit
tee amendment relating to the main
tenancee of the colored beach and
MS amendment to do away with the
white beach.
To this Senator Norris of Nebraska
objected. Senator Norris fathered RI,
nrst proposition for the constructior
OF bathing beach in the Tidal Basin
~ years or more ago. He said tina,
ne could not agree with other Sem
ators that the bathing beach con-
st1tuted an eyesore. He insisted that
1t did not detract from the beauty of
Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin.
he pointed out further that it is a
much safer place to bathe than the
river, and more sanitary
Earlier In the debate Senator Walsh
Commission of Fine Arts, Mr. Moore. on
posing the location Of the bathing beach
at the Tidal Basin and asking the re-
movai OF the present bathing beach for
Whlte people. He read also a letter
from the Public Health Service de-
caring that conditions were unsat-
is1actory because the water in the
basin was contaminated. Senator
walsh also read letter from DR.
Richardson stating that diseases of the
ear were common from such infection as
might come from bathing in the con-
taminated waters of the basin.
senator Walsh announced that if
the Senate committee amendment
providing $4,000 for the maintenance
OF the colored bathing beach in the
Tidal Basin was defeated, as he hoped
IL would be, he would move to
cover into the Treasury that part of
the appropriation made for the bat
ing beach which has not ALREADY
been expended.
Amendment Defended,
senator Phipps of Colorado de-
ienoeo the committee amendment
ana pointed out that efforts had been
made to find a proper location for
the colored bathing beach in the An
acostia River and at the terminus of
the Georgetown bridge, but without
evall. He said that the beach in the
lidal Basin would be screened and
would not be offensive.
The water, he said, was purified bv
the use of chemicals and suitable fo,
oatning purposes. He added that al.
ready s25,000 had been expended to.
wards the construction Of the beach
and that 1t would be completed b,
June 80. He read a letter from
Secretary Weeks of the War Depart.
ment In which the Secretary said tha,
he believed no bathing beaches should
De established in the Tidal Basin, but
that this apparently was the mos,
available place at present. If the
memorial bridge is constructed the
Secretary said he hoped authorit,
would be given to move both the
beaches from the Tidal Basin tc
Columbia Island in the middle of the
river.
Senator Pepper of Pennsylvania de.
clared that any bathing beach in the
Tidal Basin is unwise.
When the Senate recessed last nigh,
Do