
Beach - Cop a feel 1922

by Mike Savad
Title
Beach - Cop a feel 1922
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Colorized Photo
Description
Colorized photo from 1922, June 30
Original Title: Measuring bathing suits
Location: Washington DC, Tidal Basin
Some time in the 1920's, a law was put into place by a Col Sherrell, Superintended of buildings and grounds. No bathing suit on a woman can be over 6 inches above the knee. This person shown here, Bill Norton, he is a bathing suit cop. His sole job is to harass the ladies for a quick grab, so he can measure the length. If its found to be the wrong length he is allowed to arrest them.
Your probably asking - where in Washington this is? There used to be a beach where the Jefferson memorial now stands. chlorine tanks sat under the Tidal Basin Inlet Bridge which made it safe for people to swim. This beach was Whites only, and ran from 1918-1925. When it came into question to allow black people to join, they decided to spite them and simply closed the beach completely instead of letting everyone enjoy it. Gladly all these rules and such no longer exist today.
Uploaded
April 28th, 2016
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Comments (14)

Frank Maxwell
Mike, I've just discovered your work and it's enthralling. I thought for a brief moment the bathing suit cop in this image was President Roosevelt! Love your renditions. /F