The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-08-20
HOW GIRLS BATTLE.

Complaint las been made to city
missionaries, doctors, ministers and
others, from time to time, that the
Delaware free swimming bath was
losing great many of its more
modest and respectable batherS by
the conduct Of many who have not
received proper training at home,
and that although the charity which
called the Institution into being had
made every effort to make the place
success, yet It's usefulness was
greatly impaired by the disregard of
the common laws Of modesty shown
by the more prOmiScuOus class of
bathers.
The bath is located at the foot of
Almond street. 1t has the appear
ance of a large barn constructed of
rough boards colOred with paint of a
! dull brown color. No windows are
visible in the slOping roof and sides.
The door of the place is in the side,
and is reached by shaky, temper
airy stairway. or swinging ladder,
which, though appar entity insecure,
presents no danger to the careful.
The place is open to women and
oirls on Mondays and Thursdays; on
other days to men and boys.
Across the middle of the bath is
a low partition of upright
piles, which divides 1t into two
equal parts. The end next the
shore is the deep pool for adults, the
other the shallow one for children.
Ali around the structure is a yard
wide board walk, unprotected by
trailing. Over each pool, from side
to side, is light bridge. Around
the bath. opening upon the board
walk, is a row of closets for cloth
ling, properly numbered. The floor
lis of logs through which the water
flows constantly, and which is
Istrong and high enough to prevent
accidents.
| On women's days the place is in
charge of Mrs. Kate Ryan, whose
business is to take charge of the
WardrobeS Of bathers, qnell disorder
and keep away jntruders. Here. on
Mondays and Thursdays, women of
all ages cOngregate, the older ones
chiefly in the morning and even
ing, the younger through the
day. The bathers are mostly persons
who do not have access to bath tubs
at home. They come from the little
streets and alleys in the neighbOr-
hOOd-though all parts of the city
are represented. Many of the girls
are bright, healthy and respectable
in appearance. When lady reporter
of the Times visited the baths
on Thursday afternoon the water
seemed to be full of graceful forms,
darting about in all directions,
Jumping, diving and spla. hing in
great glee. On stepping inside the
Enclosure she was Immediately sur
rounded by a bevy of playful girls,
who stared at her and capered about,
totally oblivious of the fact that
they were unincumbered with
lclothes of any sort.
ooh, yes" said Mrs. Ryan, when
Ispoken to on the subject, they've
been told about that, but they don't
mind it. l suppose they ought to
be made to mind it. The younger
! girls are not so nearly Of one age as to
make the practice unobjeetionable.
Decency is as desirable as eleanli-
ness. The few who wear old wrap
pers and petticOats deserve great
deal of credit for their good ex-
ample. Not many are so poor that
they cannot provide some sort of
an extra garment"
81 think" said a woman who
] came into the bath house at that
moment, "that the swimming bath
might afford a good field fol-
an intellifent woman missionary
Here might be taught to the
class who most need such in
Istruction the proper use of
the towel, the tooth brush and the
fine comb, as well as some regard
for themselves and their feminine
delicacy. Otherwise a useful much
needed institution may tend to do
more harm than good.
One regulation in regard 10 the
place is that no girl carrying bas-
ket is admitted. This rule was
found necessary on account OF
lparents who complained that their
children when sent on erraDdS lett
cred and went to the swimming
bath instead Of hurrying home.
Another rule stations policeman
at the entrance to the wharf to pre-
vent men or boys advancing further
than certain. distance upon days
allotted to women. That it is really
a much needed and fully appreciated
institution is shown by the fact that
great numbers frequent it con-
stantly.-PhtLGdeEphiG Times.
Governor Washburn'S Will.
An interesting discovery has been
made in connection with the will oil