Evening star., 1925-09-10
Two Resorts, Costing $780,
600, Before Next Summer
to Be Demanded.
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
WILL SUPPORT PROJECT
Use of Dykes and Chlorinating
Boats Will Solve Pollution Prob
lem, Director Believes.

Whether or not Washington shall
endure another sweltering Summer
without bathing beaches will be put
squarely up to Congress at IT'S forth
coming session.
Lieut.. Col Clarence o. Sheriff.,
director of public buildings and pub
lie parks, in statement today
definitely announced that he would
present to Congress early in the
Winter complete plans for two bath
ing beaches. one in the Potomac
River for white bathers and another
in the Anacostia River for colored,
the entire project 70 cost at least
5000, 900.
Commissioners Back Plan.
The efforts of Col Sheriff. to op-
tain beach facilities next Summer will
receive the whole-hearted support of
the Commissioners, il was indicated
at the District Building today.
Il expect that the Commissioners
and the Citizens Advisory Council
both will make every effort to obtain
these needed facilities next year.
Engineer Commissioner Bell declared.
When the Citizens Advisory Coun-
Gil was ma king it's report to the Com
all the requirements for the city for
next year, it included a recommenda-
tion for a substantial sum for the
establishment of new bathing beaches.
Although the council has not met
since it's report in the budget was com
pleted, Col. Bell said today that he eN-
pected it TO support the various needs
of the city both before the Bureau of
the Budget and the committees in
Congress.
Can Be Made Sanitary.
Although the United States Public
Health Service reports that both rivers
are polluted by sewage, Col. Sheriff.
pointed out today that the cost of
maintaining the two beaches and keep
ing their waters thoroughly purified
would be considerable, and this item
is not covered in the above estimate.
But he added that there is no doubt
in the minds- of competent sanitarians
that both the Potomac and the Ana
costa can be made safe :. '>athers.
Elimination of sewage pollution of
the two rivers through diversion OF
sewer outlets to publication plants
seems physically impossible after a
complete study of the situation by J.
8. Gordon. sanitary engineer of the
District. Even il the people of Wash
lIlSlOn were NIilHA COIlpl6lSlN 10 re-
build the District sewer system. at an
expense of at least S23 .000. 900, the
question of stopping pollution from
Virginia and Maryland towns would
still be unsettled.
AS a. result, Col Sheriff., assisted
by sanitary engineers of the Army
has gone ahead with plans for purify
ing those sections of the rivers used
for bathing purposes. This, il was
~ H.
dykes to reduce the current in the
beach areas and chlorinating the
water therein. Such a plan, engineers
have decided, is quite feasible and
safe.
Sheriff. Stresses Need.
Our position is simply this" said
Col. Sheriff.: We can make the Po-
tomac and the Anacostia Rivers safe
for bathers If Congress will give Us
the money. The cost will not be eX-
orbitant when the benefit two big
beaches will bring to Washington next
Summer is considered Ordinarily
Washington is a very hot place most
of the Summer, and bathing beaches
seem to offer a good means of relief.
Each beach should be large enough
to accommodate at least 5000 to 5000
persons. The one in the Potomac
people and the one in the Anacostia
exclusively by colored. We can make
the waters around those beaches Just
as safe as was the Tidal Basin, and
we only had two or three complaints
year from something like 200, 900
bathers."
Just where the beaches will be
built, If the necessary appropriation
is obtained. has not been finally de-
termined. Col. Sheriff. and his as
sistants are undecided as to whether
a point just above the Key bridge
or Columbia Island would be best
in the Potomac. AS to the AnacostiA
beach, it would be located at a point
easiest of access 70 the colored peo.
pie of Washington.
Seawall Plan Ideal.
Col. Sheriff. pointed out that the
ideal manner of solving the bathing
problem here would be to protect
both beaches by a concrete seawall.
Control gates in such a wall would
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