Evening star., 1925-03-30
Bathing for All.

DoShAA6 ~
The problem Of outdoor bathing for
the people of the District of Columbia
is receiving serious study by Col.
Sheriff. and other officials of the GOV
ernment. In a climate that lends itself
to this form Of recreation and exercise
during five months of the year 1t be-
comes the duty OF the Government to
provide facilities for outdoor bathing
which shall. give the maximum enjoy
ment with the minimum of danger
from drowning and infection.
Washington is fortunate above
many other cities. A beautiful river
flows past it's doors. Yet bathing in
the Potomac River is dangerous under
present conditions. First. there is the
danger of drowning for non-swimmers
and the inexpert-and even for the ex-
pert No guards are provided, no pub
lie facilities for the safekeeping Of the
clothes of those who use the river.
Second, there is the danger of disease
because of sewerage pollution OF large
areas of the river waters.
With such a body of water as the
Potomac River at hand it seems the
part of little wisdom TO throw up the
hands and say it cannot be used, can
never be used for bathing purposes.
Col. Sheriff., superintendent Of public
buildings and grounds, under whose
direction came the public bathing
beach in the Tidal Basin, now aban-
doned because Of the recent decision
Of Congress to restore the shores Of
vanced the suggestion that a survey
of Government engineers should be
undertaken for the purpose Of deter
mining how the pollution of the river
may be minimized, SO that bathing in
its waters will be reasonably safe. 1t
is an admirable suggestion.
In fact the real and vital municipal
problem presented is that Of so locat-
ing bathing beaches or lighthouses on
the Potomac and 80 diverting or treat
ing the city's flow Of sewage pollution
into the river as to enable Washing
tonians to make regulated and safe
guarded use OF the Potomac at certain
spots for bathing and swimming pur-
poses. -.
Hundreds, probably thousands. Of
men and boys will swim in the Poto-
mac River during the coming Summer
months, Notwithstanding warnings of
IL 40
BILE law OF probabilities some of them
will be drowned, and some may be
made i'll and perhaps die OF disease
But as long as human beings are
human they will take chance. Be-
sides, there are thousands who give
little credence to the danger Of germs.
Boys-and men-dislike to be regarded
as "mollycoddles." They hear with
derision the old admonition of the
mother who told her daughter to hang
her clothes on a hickory limb but
don't go near the water when the
happer asked to go swimming. Every
thing possible, therefore, should be
done to make bathing in the river
safe. ...
With the Tidal Basin eliminated. the
alternative Of river bathing is bathing
in artificial pools and beaches filed
with filtered water and purified by use
OF chemicals. Col. Sheriff. is preparing
to recommend to Congress the crea.
ton Of these glorified artificial bath
ing beaches. The construction Of such
poels undoubtedly would give enjoy
ment and healthful exercise to thou.
sands OF men, women and children of
the Capital. If they are constructed
they should be located in sections of
the city where they will do the most
good, where they will be accessible to
the greatest numbers. 1t is not those
residents of Washington who spend a
large part of the Summer at the sea
shore or in the mountains that should
be considered particularly in providing
outdoor bathing facilities. The thou,
sands who must perforce remain in
the city are those who most need the
aid of the Government in the estab-
lishment Of sanitary, safe bathing
places.
While such artificial beaches are
much to be desired, the fact should
not be lost sight Of that the use of the
river, with the construction of. ade-
Quate beaches and facilities along it's
banks, would prove far more beneficial
to the people of Washington generally
"a population that is growing greater
year by year. Any plans for bathing
facilities should, OF course, be made
with view to this future growth.