The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-19
THE PUBLIC BATHS.
Preparations for Opening Them at
an Early Day.
ATTENDANCE LAST YEAR.
Repairs. Alterations and Improvements
Needed and Suggested.

The Bureau Of Repairs and Supplies OF tho Depart
mont OF Public Works commenced the labor OF put
ting the pnbc baths In serviccabe condition Tor tho
coming season. The roofs OF the bathing houses
being examined aud repaired as to make them per-
icctly water tight. New closets 10 oil
struction on Tho floating haths and the tanks
being carefully calked Tho contractors are also
painting tho tanks and houses tho different sta
tons II will require no less than $50 iaihoms OF
Manila rope for the gangways and hand lines
by tho bathers Mr Thomas Kecch, Superintenden OF
the Bureau, General 7. +. Bourkc ana Mr.. Reynolds
arc engaged in placing all tho baths in proper
dition.
POPULARITY BATHS
Tho bathing season nj the public baths last summer
extended period OF eighteen weeks from the 10Th
OF June TO the 18TH OF October inclusive During tins
time SIS persons OF both all ages used
the baths There were six bathing houses altogether
distributed at convenient distances along both sides
OF tho city; ana from the fact that the hch
least used Chat at Gouvcrncur strcot accommodated
s9i 23i bathcrs the crowded condition OF The others
during certain hours the day may well be imag
MS something very undesirable. 1t is beloved that at
least half duz additional baths should be crectcd
three each side OF tho islanJ,
Tho bath ut Eas. Filth street, which had tho
largest Attendance having accommo dacd ATS 7l9 per.
sons shows that tho average daily attendance there
equal to 1906 indi viduals: or surprising II
to have been open Tor sixteen hours a day q iltlc
more than 237 per hour. Although tho baths were
open for about sixteen hours week days they
cioscd each sunday after twelve O'clock TINT for
this reason the attendance would DO even aruer
than the ngures when arc gwen above. Many com.
plants were made auring the season because tho
baths were closed on Sundays alter the middle OF
the day, Tor, !, was commended, y no harm
Cured Wy having them open in tho forenoon dur ny
church hours no great wrong could result from the
beng kept open IN the aitcrnooa also. ih,s ar
rangemen would have enabled many persons to
baths who might have otherwise proven ted from
do ng and aiso have allowed time ~ the water
TO the bathcrs The whoio number OF males VINO
visited the baths was 2 loo 7Q5 and 42a 1lJ females
Tho East Fifth street bath was patronizcd by
the tnan any oil tho Others anvrdng BATH M
room Tor $50, 1853; and West Fity-hrst street. which
visited by 33l 675 males, found tho least favor
with Thorn. The women liked, apparently
tho East Thirty.seventh street bath better
than the others, 97,645 Of tho sex
took a plunge there curing the season
and they appear have cared about tho bath 4,
Gouverncur street thar those at other points as on
40 45S females went to H. Tho largest number bath
ing during any week OF tho was at East THIRTY
seventh street, where 200 persons went into tnc
invigoratng waters Tho following tabuia,cd ret
snow tho weekly attendance At each ba, h and tue
,oial number Of bathcrs throughout the season.