Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-02
Potomac River and Public Bathing.

The Public Health Service, with the
cooperation of the health officer of the
District, is about to begin a most i'm
portant research in the interest of the
people of the National Capital, sur
vey of the Potomac River to deter
mine whether il may not be made pos
sible for residents of Washington to
battle in its waters with reasonable
safety. Surg. Gen. Cummings an
nouncement that this work will be un-
dertaken is particularly welcome at
this time
With the approach of Summer, the
fact that Washington is without ade-
quate bathing and swimming facilities
for its people becomes more and more
a pressing problem. The bathing
beach in the Tidal Basin has been
eliminated by congressional action,
and so far there has been no substi-
tute for it, although members of Con-
gress have indicated their willingness
to make provision for bathing facilities
for Washington. The survey planned
been completed long before Congress
meets, and its recommendations will
be available for the use Of that body
when it considers this problem next
Winter.
The Potomac River. a beautiful
river, flows by the doors of the Ma
tional Capital To eliminate it from
consideration in connection with pub
lie bathing without the most careful
investigation to determine whether it
may be used with safety for such pur-
pose would be most unwise. Examina
tons of the river water hitherto made
have indicated considerable pollution.
But this pollution may be 80 min
imiZed through improved disposal of
sewage and regulation as to make the
river a safe bathing place, provided
beaches are constructed and guards
provided to protect the people against
drowning. This is the hope of those
who are keenly interested in providing
bathing facilities which may benefit
the people. For it is apparent that
possible to provide for many thousands
of bathers who probably could not
be cared for by artificial bathing
pools.
The survey of the river should deter
mine definitely whether there is any
possibility of its use for bathing by
the people in safety, and if it is proved
concluSively that there can be no
further hope of bathing in the river
then Congress should turn its atten-
ton without loss of time to providing
artificial open-air pools for the people
on as large a scale as possible.
Other American cities have given
much attention to providing safe bath
ing facilities for their residents, as, for
example, Chicago, Minneapolis and
New York. Wherever possible other
cities have made use Of natural bodies
of water in their vicinity for bathing
beaches. Everything possible has been
done to minimize the pollution Of lakes
and streams so that they may be used
without danger of infection. Every
reason exists why Washington should
do the same with regard to the Poto-
mac River.
The watershed of the Potomac al
ready has been the subject Of a
thorough investigation by the Public
Health Service, conducted in 1854
The intensive study which will be
made during the Summer of the waters
Of rivers near Washington, and the
disposal of sewage here, will in a
measure be supplemental to the earlier
investigation.
The problem will be attacked from
two angles by the investigators. They
must determine whether through Ger
tain sanitary engineering measures it
will be possible to improve the condi-
ton of the water by the elimination Of
sewage pollution. Actual bacteriologi-
cal examination Of the waters of the
river during the period when bathing
can be INDUCED in here must also be
made.
The decision of the Public Health
Service and the District Health De
partment to make this survey is es-
pecially commendable because it may
result in providing for the great mass
OF Washingtonians means for the en-
ioyrnent of one of the most healthful
and enjoyable exercises and sports,
outdoor swimming and bathing.