The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-13
THE GREAT UNWASHED.

SCENES At THE PUBLIC BATHs-TwENTT THOU
SAND SWIMMERS CROWD TO THEIR DOORS
oNE-ARMED AND oNE-LEGGED EXPERTS.
Notwithstanding the numerous appeals which
have been made TO the Board OF Public Works
during the last three years, the free swimming
baths have not been increased. The two
winch Boss Tweed had constructed are still
the only ones the disposal OF the poorer classes
The need for more rec swimming baths has been
eloquenty set forth In editorials, resolutions and
petitions, ana the facts from which the necessity
mas grown have pcen stated and restated time
and again. when II Is understood that In one
DAY between $4,000 and 1900 men and boys go to
Que Of the baths, TO take a cool wash, some idea
may De mad Of the popularity Of the Institution.
The two baths are situated respectively at the
foot or FINN street. East River, and foot or West
Eleventh street, NortA River. These baths are
open from I'VE A. NJ. till niue P. M. To the east
side baths the seventeenth, Eighteenth. Thr-
teentn and seventh ward children have to come II
they wish TO have bath. To the West Eleventh
street bath the Third, Fifth, Eighth, Eln.h, Fif-
tecn;h and Sixteenth ward people nave to resort
when taey are anxious TO take a douche the
average attendance, as before stated. is about
$4,000 daily 10 each OF these places, and many VINO
come TO the dock never get inside the bah house.
The theory or "the survival or the nttesti
OF the unruly crowd which elamors every even
ing AZ the portals Of the bath. Only the sturdest
can hope 70 get &c all near the gateway the
feeble and Inhrm ones being forced TO the outer
periphery OF the crowd, Notwithstanding the
Efforts Of the policemen 10 protect them. II the
proposition 10 have a oath for each OF the tricky
populated wards OF the city was carried into
effect all this crushing. crowding and injustice
would ue obvlated aud there would be room for
ALL As II Is there Is no accommodation even lor
those who, by man force, succeed In getting In
side. Thev are, IN many instances, crowded, six
ana eight into one Of the small boxes, and
have barely time 70 undress, wet themselves
batch, WHO In their turn will be similarly treated
saturday night, OF all others In the week, Is the
greatest nignt for crowds at the baths. The
docks literally swarm with dirty, ragged urchins,
TReir hldeous howls Of hoy, Mickey - Hay
Sloo 7" Hay, skinny ~ aud HAY, Jim ~ can
be heard for blocks around. At midday the bath
u cleared OF batch or swimmers ana held In
readiness for the reception OF worktngmen and
boys VINO wish to take bath before dinner. From
twelve TIL one none but workingmen aud boys
are allowed In, and although this rule Is rigldiy
enforced, 'repeaters,p a. they are called, sue
coed in evadng the vigilance OF both policemen
ana bathkeeper. At the Fifth street dock Is
plY between down town and the Harlem hats.
ana there being = tobacco factory In the vicinity
all the refuse from II is dumped on this boat.
Yesterday, while the HERALD reporter was con-
templatng the unsavory mess on the deck OF one
OF these sc0ws, ne noticed two little Fellows in
dustrouSly RUBBING tobacco stalks between their
wet hands. When they had completely stained
their fingers they crawed upon the dock aud made
straight l0r the Data house. lt being workmens
hours tney were challsnIed A. the doer aud IN