Evening star., 1935-03-16
F|NNAN NASKSP.W.A.
FOR 4 NEW POOLS.
Swimming Tanks and Rec.
reation Areas Budgeted at
100000 Total.

An aftermath OF the tempest
raised over the proposed demolition
of the old municipal swimming pools
near Seventeenth street on Consti-
tuition avenue, came today when c.
Marshall Finnan, superintendent of
the National Capital Parks, revealed
that he has asked the p w. A. for
four new swimming pools for the
District.
This Is embraced within projected
public works program for the city,
numbering 81 projects. The item for
recreation areas and swimming pools
runs between 100000 and $1,000. 900.
The swimming pools, costing around
$4,000 each, would require about
$500, 900.
The park chief declined to reveal
the sites proposed for the new SWIM
ming pools. The parks organization
has constructed four of the six pools
authorized by Congress some years
ago. No funds are now available for
constructing the remaining two.
Leeway Seen in Set-Up.
Under the P. w. A. set-up, how
ever, additional pools can be con-
Structed, in the opinion of the park
authorities, just as the Mall improve
ment is going forward out of public
works funds, although no specific act
of Congress has authorized this work.
This, in the opinion of the park off,
cials, gives them leeway to con-
struct more pools than are actually
authorized by congressional edict.
The 81 ,000. 900 appropriation sought
as part of the city-wide public i'm
provement program, now being con-
sidered by the National Resources
Board and Secretary Ickes. would
finish up the larger and more i'm
portant recreation areas in the city,
according to Finnan. 1t would not,
however. care for all the prospective
Fairgrounds and recreation centers
for which the Federal Government
has purchased land here.
One of the four new swimming
pools would serve as replacement
for that on the Washington Monu-
ment grounds over which so much
discussion developed when Finnan
proposed to start tearing down the old
buildings yesterday. The new SWIM
ming pool would not likely be built
on the same site as that now oc-
cupied by the old municipal swimming
pool, but would be built somewhere
in that region.
Finnan estimated today it would
take around $150,000 to replace the
Washington Monument pools, mas
much as the foundations in that zone
are costly, due to the marshy char
acter of the SubSoil.
At present, there are swimming
pools at the Takoma recreation center,
Fourth and Van Buren, streets; the
Mckinley pool at First and Lincoln
road northeast, the Francis pool at
Twenty fifth and N streets and the
pool at Banneker recreation center
near Howard University. The last
two are for colored persons. The Ia
koma and Banneker pools were con-
structed last year with the aid of Civil
Works Administration funds, as part
of the emergency work set up.
Other Districts Apply.
There are no pools. under the Ma
tional Capital Parks, in the southwest
or southeast sections, nor are there
facilities in the Georgetown area.
Some of the citizens In northeast
and northwest have felt that they need
additional pools. Finnan conceded
the justice of these claims, but de-
clined to state in what sections the
new pools would be built.
Finnan and his advisers propose to
seek the assistance Of Congress also
in getting new swimming pools as
there is no assurance from Secretary
IckeS that p. w. A. funds would be
allotted for pools here. Finnan said
today that If he can get sympathetic
ear on the Hill he will attempt to have
Congress appropriate money for the
two pools authorized by law.