Evening star., 1946-10-09
Recreation Unit
To Study Report
Of Faulty Pools
Wender Considers
Need Of Extensive
Repoirs Next Yeor

bers will be asked to study re-
ported shocking" deficiencies in
construction and maintenance ia
cilities of public swimming pools
before the pools are used next year,
according to Harry S. Wender. board
chairman.
Mr.. Wender told members at a
board meeting yesterday the
deficiencies" were brought to his
attention this week by survey of
10 experts" who investigated con-
ditions of pools on public parks. Mr..
Wender said he didn't know who
the experts were or who initiated
the survey but that he was given
a copy of the report by the Ma
tional Capital Park Service.
'The report doesn't refer to pools
at public schools, but to those
operated by Government Services,
Inc, and located in public parks
he declared. He quoted the survey
as saying the pools were of in
adequate construction and had
defective maintenance facilities.
Report Held Confidential"
Frankly, this report made me
wonder whether those pools should
even be used during the coming
season without great improve
ments," Mr.. Wender said. "It GER
tainly would indicate that those
who built the pools should be sub
ject to at least mild censure for
the deficiencies"
Pointing out that improvements
indicated in the report would re-
quire considerable appropriations"
and that they would have to be
made with public funds, Mr.. Wender
urged members of his board to study
the report and promised the matter
would be brought up at next
months meeting.
Mr.. Wender refused to release a
copy of the report after Milo F.
christensen, Recreation Depart
ment superintendent, said he under
stood the informative survey" was
meant to be confidential" and that
he did not understand it to be a
criticism" of existing conditions.
The board also tentatively ear
marked $1,000 for improving facili-
ties at six Fairgrounds, if the funds
are not used to construct a recrea-
ton site at the Southwest Recrea-
ton Area near jefferson Junior
High School
Involves Razing Warehouse.
Mr. Wender explained the $4,000
was obtained to raze warehouse
now being used for storage by the
District Government, on the South
west property. IF the Commission
ers don't turn the property back to
us, Che money will be used for i'm
provements on the six Fairgrounds.
The Fairgrounds that would bene-
fit, and estimated costs for improve
nent. are: ,ss.s 4
Forest Hill Playground $500; Res
ervoir Playground. $2,500; Burroughs
Playground, $4,000; Bell Playground,
$500; Loonis Park Playground, $500,
and Kimball School Playground,
$1,000.
These other recommendations
vert approved by the Board:
I. That the National Capital Parks
Office be requested to permit use,
for recreation purposes, of the
property located at the western end
Of Fort Chaplin and west of the
proposed Fort Drive. 1
2. That the National Capital
Housing Authority permit use, for
recreation purposes, of the property
located in the southeast corner of
the Stoddert Dwellings project.
3. That the Fourth of July Fund,
established by the board to finance
celebrations on that date, be used to
defray expenses of other civic cele-
brations, under direction of the
Recreation Board, and that F. P.
H. Siddons be requested to continue
to act as treasurer of the fund. The
fund has balance, it was reported,
of sl,861.
Shirt Law to be Studied.
In another action, the board voted
to call meeting of the Commis
sioners and the Board of Trustees
of the Public Library to discuss a
proposal to convert the E. v. Brown
School into library and community
building. A letter from the Com
missioners stated the conversion
could not be made because of pres
ent financial conditions" it was re-
ported.
The board chairman also called
for study of a District law which
compels wearing of shirts on public
tennis courts.
Many laW-abiding citizens who
wear their shirts while playing ten
mis- have complained that others
don't bother" he said. THE feel
ing is that if we should have such
law, at least it should be en-
forced"
Other board members attending
the meeting were James E. Schwab,
vice-chairman: G. M. Thornett,
secretary to the Board of Commits
sioners, and Robert A. Maurer, of
the Board of Education.