Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-07-18
SPINNING BATHS.
A MEETING RESOLVES THEY SHALL
BE BUILT.
1t Opens Stock Subscription Hand
somely and Proposes Immedi-
ate Action.

The RECORD UNION has for two years
pressed the subject upon public attention
of establishing warm and cold swimming
baths in this city, but not until last even
ing was there any positive action taken
looking to realization of the idea, one
which is universally commended, and to
which no citizen has ever raised the
slightest objection.
The benefits of such an institution are
almost countless, and the only reason why
they have not been enjoyed here is that
the right start has not been made. Three
swimming baths have been put up in Sac.
Iamento. The first was destroyed by fire,
the second was float in the river and i'll
adapted to general uses, the third was
diminutive and fell into use by disreputa.
Bile people, and that killed it.
THE MEETING
OF last night was called by the REooRn.
UNION to assemble at Y. Nj Hall the
sole purpose of this journal being to have a
test made whether the people would act
when the opportunity offered to secure
line, large, well-conducted swimming
baths. Our evening contemporary, the
Bee, last night cordially indorsed the cali
and gave 1t its sincere support, testifyine
thereby to public spirited motive, and its
conviction OF the great need for the baths.
There was good attendance at the meet
ing and commendable spirit shown. G.
a. Yoerk, of the firm of Mohr & Yoerk
and Hall, Luhrs q Co., was called to the
IN orNd -
retarv. On taking the chair Mr.. Yoerk
expressed himself emphatically in favor of
establishing the baths. and expressed the
hope that the movement would result in
their immediate establishment. He then
called for expression of the views of those
present. and the following were called out
and spoke:
WHAT THE BATHS SHOULD BE,
Mr.. Woodson said that he had studied
the subject with care and had consulted
many people. All favored the baths.
Wherever established and we'll conducted
In this State, he found they had paid.
Those In San Francisco pay largely, but
not better than in Fresno, San Jose, Mon
terey and other cities. He had secured
many estimates of cost of establishing, from
Sic, 900 to SEC, 900, and believed that SIS, 900
would secure two fine tanks of wood as
phalt coated. 40x80 feet each, with 75 or 100
dressing-rooms, and all covered by hand
some building and supplied with all needed
fixtures and paraphernalia; that $3.50 a
month would cover all possible operating
expenses that with sale of privileges in
cluded, the income, at as low an
estimate as $40 a day, average from
admissions, the investment would paw
from to per cent. on the subscribed
stock of $4,000 These estimates were
based on the calculations of safe business
men.
A. Bonnheim said he was warmly in
favor of establishing the baths. He was
satisfied that it would pay. He was glad
thatthe RECORD UNION and Bee agreed upon
the matter, and cordially urged action.
When the baths are built and put upon a
paying basis, his idea would be to give
them to the city to own just as it does the
Free Library. Only few can 90 away
from the city to enjoy swimming baths.
the many must stay here and long for that
they are deprived of, great privilege. a
sanitary benefit and an accomplishment.
The baths must be well built, covered by
an attractive building, not one highly orna-
mented, but one comfortable, neat and
pleasing to view and occupancy. A gen.
tleman had said to him the other day. he
who learns how to swim has added
NEW SECURITY TO HIS LIFE,
Every man, woman and child ought to
be taught the invigorating, healthful, de-
lightful exercise. He had written and as
certained the cost of the beautiful, indeed
elegant three-tank Del Monte Baths, and
to his surprise the whole outfit cost but
$500 But such tanks were not large
enough to accommodate our population.
On the other hand we did not need such
costly structures, but ours must be attrac-
tive to be appreclative; must be neat, clean,
well conducted and provision made for a
separate tank for the ladies. He would
take stock for his house and, naming the
amount, he sat down amidst round of ap-
plause.
RICHARD DALE
Related his experience in visiting Eu-
ropean and American baths. He dilated
upon the great benefits of the exercise of
swimming, how it conserves physical de.
ye!opment and how most men, If cast into
deep water, go to the bottom, while most
animals swim, and thus the best endowed
OF beings, in most cases, lacks ability to
preserve life from drowning. He himself
was swimmer and knew how easy
it is to learn. He had contested in
matches and knew how well such
entertainment could be carried on
here, and what enthusiasm it awakens,
score of citizens had said to him they
would take stock in a swimming-bat
scheme here. He knew it could be made
TO pay The baths must be large, we'll.
Kept, exclusively for decent people, and
should be under attractive cover. He
citizens who had authorized him to
give the meeting their support, and to sav
how much they dreaded to have their sons
bathe in the treacherous river.
The Secretary here said that DR.. Sim
mons sent his cordial Endorsement and re-
gretted that duty prevented his attendance.
Mr.. Dale said he had found the cost for
the lumber for the two tanks, S0x40 each.
would be 81 900 each. That was less than
had been estimated. He urged the meet
ing to go ahead and assured il that the
people would guarantee the scheme sue.
cess.
THOMAS HAGUE
Spoke of the benefits of the baths and his
experience in teaching swimming, and re-
ferred to the dangers of river bathing, He
favored the plan for the good of the
city. As to locations there were yari-
GUS sites spoken OF. Mr.. Pierson.
OF the gas and electrical company, had told
him that for not more than $75 month
all hot and cold water power would be
supplied from the company's works if land
could be had in that section. This would
cut out the cost of pumps and engine and
engineer fees. A street railway will soon be
run down Second to Q or r street. Mr..
Hague said he had land near there that
could be had it was high, and had fine
drainage. Mrs. Crocker had block near
by, two blocks nearer the center of town
and OF fine location, and she would surely
sell lots in ii at low figure for the pur-
pose. As for himself, he had no az to
grind and wished it distinctly understood
that he did not come into the movement to
sell land. He wanted the best site selected
to insure the baths being success and the
greatest benefit to the people OF his home
city. He advised appointing a committee
to which should be referred the whole
matter of the plan and subscription.
THE SUBSCRIPTION THE THING.
Chairman Yoerk said that il might he
too early to name Committee on Site and
Plau; the best thing to do was to put site
and plan aside completely until stock SUBJ
scription enough was had.
E. B. Willis said he liked the idea of a
committee as suggested by Mr.. Hague, and
that il should consist of three or Eve and
confine itself to stock subscription and not
let sites, of which there are q dozen or
more good ones, cut any figure yet. He
believed enough stock would be taken as a
paving Investment He referred to The