Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-19
CITY BATH HOUSES.
A Movement Started on the South
side for Eatatoriums I
TO BE PLACED ON THE RIVER
A Resolution to be Presented in Coun-
cils for an Appropriation.
WHAT ADVOCATES OF THE sCHEME SAY

The enforcement of the city ordinance
prohibiting bathing in the rivers inside the
city limits has raised a great big howl in
some parts of the Southside. The advocates
of bathing and teaching the young arms and
legs to shoot out in all directions in the
water in a manner that will keep the ma
terial body afoat in case of accident and
prevent the spirit from taking its flight are
thoroughly aroused on the question. So
aroused are they that their ardor may result
in decided innovation for the city.
1t is proposed to have the city build pub
| lie bathing houses at different points on the
two rivers, and charge nominal price for
the use of them-only enough to cover e1-
penses. 1t is further promised that an
ordinance will be Introduced at the next
meeting of Councils for an appropriation to
build the bathing houses.
THE PLANS OUTLINED
Mr.. Fred Gearing is prominent mover
in the new project. He has studied the
question over so thoroughly and so
weighed it that some OF his friends
saw that it has become a hobby with him,
but he does not care, for, if such is the case,
he has lots of company on both sides of the
river. The question is a live one, and the
promoters OF the new project have great
faith in seeing it culminate into a certainty.
Mr.. Gearing said that ior years the papers,
scientific men and all thinking people have
been advocating the policy of teaching the
young to swim. That a knowledge OF the
art is a necessary precaution against acci-
dent, as we'll source OF much pleasure, no
one denies. All say that the question is a
prominent one and the next thing means Of
solving the problem of teaching the art OF
swimming to all children.
BATHERs SHUT OUT.
The ordinance affects not only children,
but many of the mill men, who had been in
the habit OF taking bath In the river above
South Twenty-second street. As il is now,
all are shut out and must go to the
Natatorium, or not learn to swim. A good
many parents cannot afford to send their
| children to the Natatorium and pay the
price asked. Again, many would not 60
over to the new bathing house, when they
would 60 to one nearer by.
In view of these facts, the promoters of
the new project were led to the idea of pub
lie bathing houses. 1t is proposed to have
| one located at the foot of South Twenty-sec-
ond street to accommodate the residents OF
the Twenty-third, Fourteenth and Thirty
first wards. Those rom the Soho district
could come acr IS Jones & Laughlin's
| bridge. One at the Point bridge would &C.
commodate that section of the city, includ-
ing the Thirty-secend ward. Another at
the foot of Grant street would accommodate
large section. 1t is proposed to place
another on the Alleeh heny river to accommo-
date the people of the Twelfth ward district
CHEAP PUBLIC BATHS,
1t is thought that 81, 600 would build each
So, 900 will be asked for. It is estimated
that about 81 900 will be necessary to fit up
the boats and start the project of. The
other 81 600 would be used TO build four
bathing houses at the points named.
The boats will not be built on an expen-
sive scale, but will be fitted up with all the
conveniences, and probably planned after the
natatorium. The bathing Zee will be 3 or
10 cents, enough to pay for the expense Of
running the institution and for the towel,
trunks, etc.
Mr.. Gearing said that the public nata-
torium would not conflict in any way with
the Duquesne way institution, as all would
serve to make the swimming bath more
popular, and each would have its patrons.
1t is proposed to set aside certain days for
ladies and girls, snd have teachers for them.
After the institutions are once started it is
thought that they can be made as popular
for the ladies as for children and men.
ANOTHER CITIZENS VIEWS.
Mr.. John Kemmler thought learning to
swim should be made compulsory. He is
heartily in favor of the natatorium. His
idea is to have natatoriums built in the
school yards and the children taught to
swim as we'll as to read and write. He
would have the bath OF different depths, and
possibly the gymnasium teacher could en-
large his field of usefulness by lessons In
physical culture meath the water.
The present ordinance, Mr.. Kemmler
thinks, savors some of false modesty. He
thinks that if public natatoriums are not
built, certain limits should be set aside for
bathing, and policemen who can swim in
structed to patrol the district and take care
of the children who wish to go in swimming.
When Birmingham was q borough ordi-
nance was introduced in Councils looking
to this very end.
OTHERS IN FAVOR OF IT.
Dr. Wood is heartily in favor Of any
means that will serve TO teach the children
to swim, and says it is a precaution that
parents should not overlook. From one
view of the case the enforcement of the city
ordinance has resulted in less deaths, and
so far so good, but from philosophical
view OF it, one is led to remember that the
children thus prohibited from learning to
swim, are prevented from acquiring an art
that might save their life at some future
time.
In direct connection with this last move
ment is one that has been under advisement
for some time by a number of prominent
Southsiders, of building natatorium them
selves on that side of the river. When in
tefviewed they said their idea was not to
make money, but to supply some means by
which the children could be taught to swim.
The question has also been discussed by
prominent men in the old city, and the pro-
moters think that when the subject comes
up in Councils the plan will carry.