The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-27
PUBLIC BATHS PROPOSED.
AN INSTITUTION THAT THE PUBLIC
SHOULD TAKE HOLD OF.
The Artesian Water Company Will Sup
ply Water at the Proper Temperature
Free OF Charge. and Phiianthropic
Citizen Pledges 900.

CLEANLINESS is next TO Godlness," saith
the proverb.
Public baths foster and promote clean
illness, ergo, they facilitate the work of
clergymen in filling the world with Godli-
ness.
Taking this view OF the case, the idea
might DO advanced by some religions,s
that the local public policy Of arresting
boys for swimming in the river, and there
by becoming clean, was bad from first to
last as being against the interests Of the
church.
But, laying all side issues away as irrele-
want to the question in hand, why should
not Memphis have the public lighthouses?
This question was propounded to an Ar.
PEAL man yesterday by Mr.. Il. q. Graves,
yice-president and general manager Of the
Artesian Water Company. also OF the
Bohlen-lluso Ice Company. The inquiry
was reinforced by clipping from the New
York Morning Jdurnal OF a recent date,
dealing with the enterprise OF that charac-
ter In that city. In New York, OF course,
the baths are established and maintained
at public expense. paid for out OF the city
treasury. Here such wise and beneiicent
public policy can hardly be expected 10
prevail for some time, though il would be
difficult 10 advance weighty reason why
it should not Returning to Mr. Graves,
however, who Justly deserves place
among the recognized local public bene-
factors for his efforts in this direction.
Said he;
''Ihe Water Company stands ready TO
cooperate in the establishment OF public
baths. IL will furnish tho water and
pump II into the bathrooms, taking every
care TO keep II ut the proper temperature.
lighthouses could, suppose, be gotten
ready for use ut n cost OF $1,000 or 81, 800
each. One Of them, for white people,
could be placed on Court street, over the
bayou aud adjoining the ice works; another
for colorod people, on jefferson street
As an addition 10 these public baths, ar
rangement might DO made for those who,
desiring little better accommodations
than In public bath, were willing to pay
about 10 cents for maintaining those ac-
commodations. II itwere desired 10 have
soap, towels, etc. there for tho balhers,
instead Of requiring each balher TO furnish
his or her own, then II might be done by
imposing toll OF about cents upon each
individual patroniEing the bath. They
are mere details. however, which the
Water Company are not arranging. II is
more than willing TO furnish all the water
necessary aud at the proper temperature,
free of charge. The houses can easily and
speedily be erected and fitted up 10y public
subscription. Mr.. Falls, | understand,
has already consented TO contribute 500
10 tho enterprise
Now, here II is. The water company
starts the movement for public bathing
establishments with a proposition 10 sup.
ply water at the proper temperature. free
OF charge. Mr.. Falls gives Il hearty
second with subscription Of 500. TmE
ArrgAL believes the plan should and will
be taken up by the public ut once aud put
through TO bcnehccnt reality. During
these days, when the mercury stands up
| 10 the sultry point, nothing could con.
| tribute more TO tho comfort and pleasure
! Of the inhabitants than these bathing
privileges, In clear, cool, sparkling and
cleansing water. Tho water company does
not propose 20 be nigarlly in supplying
the water. The How to and from the
houses will be- be constant, 80 that IL will
] w hilN INV HNhA IAhiAANa AAAk WNhlh
contnminata
For tho bcncf, Of those who will have
charge OF the institution for Il certainly
will not fail TO cnrry-the following rcgu.
la,ions prevailing IN New York are sub.
miiied.
"Iho bathhousc- arc opened at . o'clock
am. and closed at O'Clock pm. People
who desire 10 use bathing suits must bring
them 90 the baths, rs Il Is against the
rules OF the department TO allow them Ia
be- kept for hire on the premises; neither
eau towels be- hired. This prccaution Il
taken Ia prevent the possibility OF the
spread OF cuianeous diseases. II has been
the custom Of attendants at some Of IN,
baths In past seasons 20 do n little busi
ness on their own account by keeping
bathing suits aud towels for hire, bu
strenuous efforts are being made 10 breal
up this practice.
''On warm days a great many personi
frequent the hs.hs IL ito crowded dis
tricis. They aro allowed TO remain In th,
house twenty minutes, and as some o
the lighthouses accommodate between
200 and 2J0 persons at a time, little cal
Culaiion will show that ON hot day thl
number Of people who use some Of thr
lighthouses, such, for iaYlancc, as that q
the cot Of Corlears stf'sts, mounts wei
into thc thousands"