Evening star., 1950-10-14
Swimming Pool
'AttendanceCut
yRain,P Polio
Schwob Still Feels
InterrocioI Policy
Has Not Succeeded

1QS NOT SuCCee0eQ
Cool and rainy weather during
a large part of the summer just
past contributed to the decline in
attendance at the six swimming
pools operated under the Interior
Department., Frank T. Gartside,
acting superintendent of National
Capital Parks. said today.
Attendance totaled 226.171 dur
ing 1850. as compared with 332. 1868
in 1949 and 415,952 in 1948.
But Mr.. Gartside emphasized it
was misleading to attribute the
decline solely to any one factor,
such as the non-segregation pol
icy. He cited also the incidence
Of polio in the Metropolitan Area.
James E. Schwab, vice chair
man of the Recreation Board.
feels, however, that the measure
of success of the interracial
operation to great extent is
determined by the number of
people using the pools. In that
respect. he feels, the interraciai
operation was not successful.
Watergate Attendance Down.
The 1850 summer season was
unusually unfavorable" for out
door activities in the area. The
40 rainy days during the peak of
the season affected many other
summer activities, Mr.. Gartside
pointed out.
Attendance at the Watergate
concerts declined, and general ac-
|tivities in the park system. includ-
ing the public golf courses, all
showed a decrease in use in 1850,
as compared with 1949, it was
noted.
At least one large private pool
was reported to have had an at
tendance decline, attributed to cool
weather and many rainy days.
Loss Less Than $4,000.
In an analysis of attendance
figures at the public pools made
public previously, Mr.. Gartside re-
ported that of the total 226,171.
in 1850, HAITI visits were paid
for and 111,394 were free.
A review of the unaudited &C
counts of Government Services,
Inc, which operates the pools,
indicates a loss of less than
$25,000 in operation of the six
pools during 1850. Mr.. Gartside
said that in only one year, 1943,
did the pools operate at a profit,
but that funds from operation of
other facilities in the park system
more than offset the losses.
Free swimming periods in the
mornings are devoted to Red
Cross life saving classes and rec
reation of children and others in
the pool areas, which demand the
same service and personnel cost as
the afternoon period when admis-
sions are charged, it was pointed
out.
Lack of Disturbance Noted.
The six pools are Mckinley, Ia
koma, East Potomac, Anacostia,
Banneker and Francis.
Edward Kelly. superintendent
of the National Capital Parks Of
flee. considers the interracial op-
Grafton successful in that no dis
turbanceS occurred, and at several
of the pools both white and colored
swimmers used the facilities
jointly.
Today's tabulation of attend
ance figures at the pools, includ-
ing revisions of those previously
announced for the summer just
past, shows the following:
McKinley-In 1948, with all
white patrons, 42.617; in 1949, as
colored swimmers began using the
pool. 27.672, and in 1850. 24,169.
Takoma-In 1948, with all white
patrons. 105,119; in 1949, still all
white attendance, 121 ,481, and in
1850, with some colored swimmers,
97,627.
Decline in 1850.
East Potomac-In 1948, with
white patrons, 86,092; in 1949 with
few colored swimmers. 85,042,
and in 1850, with both, 27,073.
Anacostia-In 1948, with white
patrons, 112,447; in 1949. when
the pool was closed early in the
season after disturbances started
when colored swimmers attempted
to use it. 35.626, and in 1850. with
both white and colored swimmers,
28,610.
Banneker-In 1948. with COL
ored patrons, 47,817; in 1949. also
with colored patrons, 43,730, and
in 1850, with some white swim
mers, 32,693.
F'rancis-In 1948, with colored
patrons. 21,860; in 1949, also with
colored patrons, 1887, and in
1850, with some white patrons,
1899.