Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-02

where real estate rates higher,
S25, 900 of sub aribed capital is necessary,
If little m ore distant location is consid-
cred, with greatly lessened cost of realty
and somewhat lessened expense of running
the Fsaths, they can be established when
about five thousand dollars more are SUBJ
scribed. In either case, it is capable of
demonstration that the returns upon the
investment will not greatly differ. The
question is, therefore, one of the greatest
convenience for the greatest number. But
wherever located within the confines of
the city, TIE baths will be of Immense
benefit to the people, and great acquisi-
ton to the city. In either of the cases
referred to the Institution will be nearer to
the masses of the people than are any of
the plunge-baths in or about the city of
San Francisco to its masses, which are all
on the borders of that place, OF of suburban
resorts.
But the baths should be erected, and
that between this date and the close CT
September, whether in the business heart
of the city or its geographical CEN
ter, or on the river front or at an oppo-
site side. The one thing is to secure
their erection, and build them neat,
spacious and attractive. As promoter Of
health, as an attraction, as a means for
requirement of skill all should possess, as
delightful thing for those who cannot go
to other points to indulge in plunge-bath-
ing, as means to lessen loss Of life from
bathing in the river, as sport, as an ave
nue. to athletic training, the swimming
bath is needed here as scarcely anywhere
else, and there should be such promptness
in taking the stock for it as to fill the list
within a week from this day.
John Brisbane Walker, in the current
number of the Cosmopolitan Magazine, in
an illustrated article on additional public
baths needed in New York, declares that
because there are not sufficient of such in
situations in that city there is constantly
going on massacre of human beings.
This is putting it very strongly-yet in
the summer season in that city it is very
near to the actual truth. In a sense it is
true here, too. There are thousands OF
our people whose lives would be pro-
longed, their human comfort enhanced,
their health and happiness conserved, if
they could enjoy the physical exercise,
the invigorating, life-giving and refreshing
experiences of the plunge bath. That they
should be deprived of them for the want
of dozen subscriptions that any twelve of
two dozen citizens Of large resources, who
can be named, can make and not feel it, is
an unpleasant reflection, more especially
when there is as positive guaranty made
as it is possible to give to any business
enterprise that the investment viii pay
good round profit.
Mr.. Walker, in his paper on the pro-
posed new baths for his city places the
admission at cents, the per diem attend
ance at l 900, the cost of the land at $780,
900, buildings and machinery at 100000,
and then finds that there would be no loss,
but gain. But his plan proceeds upon
the theory that no profit is desirable, and
that the people should have the benefits
very nearly free Such an idea is not here
entertained, nor do the people ask such
concession. They are willing and able to
pay well, and expect the investors to reap
a good reward.
A meeting is to be held next week, when
this whole subject will be considered. Let
us hope that before it is called the can
wasting committee will be able TO SO fill up
its list that the baths will be recognized as
a certainty, and that all the meeting will
have to do will be to determine the loca-
ton and effect the formal incorporation of
the association. There are offers to come
before that meeting, we learn, of property
owners who are philosophical citizens,
that will assure the success of the scheme,
if there is fair response in the next two or
three days to the appeal for stock sub
scriptions.