The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-06-10
MA Y
OPEN IN
WEEK
Sen. capper Approves Plan.
Only Two o. ks Needed.
Smoot En- Route Here

Reopening Of the Tidal Bash
bathing beach before the close o.
the week was practically assured
today.
The plan now is awaiting onl,
the approval of two more leader.
of Congress, to whom telegram
have been sent and who are ex
pected to reply today or tomorrow
President Coolidge, it is under
stood, approves the plan.
The consent of Senator Arthur
Capper of Kansas, chairman of The
Senate District Committee, was
secured today. Congressman Fred.
erick N. Zihlman of Maryland
prospective chairman of the House
District Committee, has approved
the plan. Senator Frances E
Warren and Congressman Martin
B. Madden, chairman of the Senate
and House appropriations commit
tees, are to be heard from.
Senator Capper's Wire.
In a telegram to the managing
editor of the Washington Times
Senator Capper today approved the
plan. He said:
II have no objection to opening
the Tidal Basin bathing beach dur.
ing hot months. / think it prob.
ably the best thing to do under the
circumstances"
The President is known to be
strongly in favor of all outdoor
sports and recreations and has re-
peatedlv urged American people to
pay greater attention to the up
building of physical vitality.
While the local bathing beach
problem has not yet been officially
brought to his attention it is under
stood that 1t isA commanding his in.
terest and that he will indorse any
plan which will give Washington
the public bathing facilities 1t re-
Quires.
Any question of the legality of
reopening the beach was removed
today by final examination of the
law passed by Congress last SEES
sion, Colonel Sheriff. said.
There is nothing in the law
which prevents us opening the
beach today" Colonel Sheriff. said.
However, 1t is evidently the will
of Congress that this beach be
closed and l feel that the District
will be in a better position If the
becah is not used.
May Cause Hostility.
"If the beach is opened, our posi-
ton before Congress will be weak.
ened and we will inevitably stir
up enmity on the Hill on the part
OF those who feel we are flouting
the wishes Of Congress.
II realize, however, that Wash.
ingtonians are suffering from the
lack Of bathing facilities and, though
it is in my judgment not the wisest
thing to do, am prepared to
reopen the beach Immediately IL
the leading members of Congress
approve.
Il am convinced that If we allow
the beach to remain closed this sum.
nler we can secure far greater con.
cessions from Congress in the mat.
ter of public bathing facilities than
we have dreamed possible.
There is no question in my mind
but that we could establish splendid
beaches next summer, at small cost
at either the Tidal Basin or Kew
Bridge and in the Georgetown and
Sixteenth street reservoirs for the
white people and at Jones point
and in the vicinity of Howard Uni.
versity for the colored population.
1.-The Jones point site can be
made into a splendid beach at little
expense. By constructing two break.
waters enclosing the beach the
water could be partially impounded
and kept still enough FOR successful
chlorination. A small quantity of
sand should be spread to form q
beach and dressing houses con.
structed.
Key Bridge Site.
1.-THE site on the Virginia shore
just south of Key Bridge could be
similarly treated and made into g
fine beach if it is felt that estab-
lishment of a permanent beach in
the Tidal Basin would interfere
with construction of the proposed
Roosevelt Memorial and with de
velopment of the park there"
Colonel Sheriff. has estimated
that $4,000 will be required to
open the Tidal Basin beach and
establish a beach at Jones Point.
The public welware fund, composed
of fees from concessions and use
of sports facilities, can be drawn
upon for 5000 Of this amount, he
oaid The rama fndor would haUa