National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-21
FREE PUBLIC BATHS.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT.
A Cheap and Perfect Plan Proposed for
Chicago = Cannot Washington Follow
suit-A Chance for Public spirited Cit

A Cheap and Perfect Plan Proposed for
Chicago - Cannot Washington Follow
sait--A Chance for Public spirited Cit
izens-who VIII Take the Ini,istIvct
About three years ago the municipal authori-
ties Of New York erected two free bathing
houses on the Battery, which have since become
one OF the most popular and, In sanitary point
Of Wow, efficient institutions Of that city. An
idea Of the extent to which they are patronized
may bc obtained by a glance at the oficlai re-
turns Of the number OF bathers during a single
month. For instance, during the month OF June
,2is used the baths, OF whom sd,556 were
women and girls. These figures are more than
double those Of the same month last year, and
prove conclusivey that the baths are institutions
which are duly appreciated by the public for
whose bencnt they were constructed. This sub
ject Of public baths IL one which Is Just now at
tracing the attention Of the residents Of oil
large citics-not only for the pleasure 1t would
afford the bathers, but also In point Of sanitary
Importance.
In fact, general movement for the establish
ment OF free baths In every city would certainly
prove one OF the most powerful aids to reduction
OF disease among the poor, and in this item alone
be financial saving. Pure water would be not
only lth-givlng aid, but 1t is argued that 1t
would be clvilizing, refining medium also.
Why can't the District OF Columbia afford to
Indulge In several OF these most essential requi-
sltes7 large population, many OF whom are
poor, inhabitlng residences devoid OF the proper
appliances for baths; 10 rests on tho banks OF q
river which Ia continually Travelled by boats Of
all descriptions; almost from the navy yard to
Georgetown there Is a woll-traveled, newly laid
out street, used for mercantile purposes and
nlled with people from early dawn TIL late at
night. The law In the District against bathing
Is stringent, and when 1t ia enforced generally
manages TO strike some poor man or boy who Ia
seeking after day Of labor to refresh his body
and nt himself for cool and refreshing sleep.
In view OF all these facts, why should not
the example Of New York and other cities be
followed, and free baths established here They
would certainly be well patronized, duly appre-
ciated, and would undoubtedly prove the most
benencent and popular OF tho phllanthropic
efforts with which the city Is blessed, as they
reach and benent class eminently deserving
Of consideration. The cost would not he large
for the construction Of say three houses-one in
the vicinity Of the navy yard, one about Sew
entn street and the third at Georgetown. These
would afford ample facilities for all, and would
be well used. The experiment Is certainly
worth trial, and now that the Legislature has
adjourned, and there Is no prospect for num-
cpal appropriation, there Is q chance for some
publlc-spirited gentleman or gentlemen to be-
gin the needed enterprise, aud thus erect an en-
during monument to their philanthropy.
The New York baths are known as floating
houses, and are perfect and expensive class, q
class which none Of the other cities seem dis
posed to follow, hut instead seek to have some
thing stationary, cheaper and which will answer
the same purpose.
The subject Is now being agitatcd In Chicago,
and In order that some definite plan might be
shown the Mail Of that city has had prepared
and published the following plans. Houses can
be erected In this style at a moderate cost, and
will give Just what Is needed-a structure which
will screen the bathers from public view, and
give them ordinary facilities for ablutive pur-
poses without cost