Evening star., 1925-06-10
SENATE AND HOUSE
LEADERS ASKED TO
0. K. BATHING PLAN
Tidal Basin and Jones Point
Are Urged as Sites for
Beaches by Council.
WIRES GO TO MADDEN,
WARREN AND CAPPER
$40, 900 Needed Likely to Be Raised
by Subscription-Legaity De-
clared Unquestioned.

Whether Washington will have two
bathing beaches this Summer, one
at the Tidal Basin and the other at
Jones Point, depends pparently on
the answers to kilograms dispatched
today by Jesse C. Suter, chairman of
the Commissioners advisory council,
to Senator Warren of Wyoming
chairman n of the Senate appropriations
committee; Senator Capper of Kansas.
chairman of the Senate District com.
mittee, and Representative Martin r.
Madden of Illinois, chairman OF the
House appropriations committee, ask
ing their approval to opening both
beaches.
If these three assent to the proposal
to use the Tidal Basin temporarily
this Summer as a bathing place for
white people, and to construct suit
able facilities at Jones Point for the
colored bathers, the Commissioners, il
was indicated today, will request Col
Sheriff. to go ahead with making both
places available.
To do this, Col. Sheriff. must be
supplied with necessary funds, which,
he has estimated, will be $4,000 If
the waters of both beaches are to be
properly chlorinated. To raise this
amount by public subscription the
Commissioners, it was indicated to-
public of Washington through the
various newspapers, and little doubt
was expressed today that the neces-
sary money would be raised.
Believes Step Legal.
Col. Sheriff. made it plain today
that he has no doubts of the legality
of opening the bathing beaches with
popularity subscribed funds. He also
I'D he h. xr-;n 30 -,-rr
out the wishes of the Commissioners
and the Citizens Council, both of
which already have gone on record
If the Congressman approve.
The text of the messages sent to
the Senators and Representatives to-
day by Mr.. Suter follows:
Excessive heat and numerous
drownings make imperative immedi
ate opening of Tidal Basin bathing
beach. Col Sheriff. will operate on
private funds IL approved by chair
men Of appropriations and Distric,
committees. Satisfactory arrange.
ments also for colored bathers. Citi-
zens' Advisory Council, including two
colored members, recommend and ask
your approval. Wire answer"
1t was recalled today that Congress
has been blamed somewhat unjustly
for Washington lack of bathing facil.
tiles this Summer. Congress, it was
pointed out, did not fail" but re.
fused" to make the necessary appro.
priations for maintaining the white
bathing beach at the Tidal Basin and
for constructing the colored bathing
beach The refusal of Congress, il
was emphasized today. was made on
the ground that the waters of the
basin were polluted, and that the
health Of bathers was thereby endan-
gered. This condition still exists, in
the view Of some experts. and will in
fluence largely the statements which
are to be made by the Senators and
Representatives who are queried on
the subject.
Urged by Council.
The sending of the messages by Mr..
Suter is the result of a meeting of the
council yesterday evening, at which
resolutions were adopted favoring the
opening of the Tidal Basin beach as a
temporary expedient this Summer and
the designation of similar beach for
colored people. The council will sug-
gest to Col. Sheriff. that he confer
with the Federation of Civic Associa-
tions, composed of the colored citizens
associations, as to where the colored
beach should be, If it is decided to op.
crate one this Summer.
Mr.. Suter, chairman of the council
stated at noon today that no further
action will be taken by the council
looking to the opening of the beaches
until answers have been received from
the kilograms sent out this morning.
Meanwhile. Government officials
Federal and municipal. and citizens
agencies are strenuously striving tt
provide bathing facilities for the re
lief of young and old against the siz
zling heat of the past week, which
has driven thousands into unprotect
ed bathing places, with its usual tol
of casualties.
May Use Reservoirs.
Every possible place where bather,
might enjoy themselves Is being ex
amined, and the situation today wa!
as follows:
Consideration is being given to tn.
matter Of using the Georgetown
Reservoir as bathing pool, and it;
use may be decided on within a few
days.
Similar consideration is being giver
| to the Sixteenth street reservoir, nov
out Of commission as a part of tn,
1 Districts water supply system.
Children within a day or two ma,
be allowed to splash around in tn
several score of park fountains with
out disturbance from the park police
| for Col. Sheriff. Is planning to Civ
them this privilege.
The Georgetown reservoir belong
to the Federal Government, and ais
has been cut out Of the District waite
supply system. Col. Sheriff. said tina
he had just examined it and believe
that 1t would make an ideal bathing
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