The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-02
JAMES LICk'S
PUBLIC BATHS.
A Building the City May Well
Feel Proud OF.
It VIII Be Opened acknowledgements
for Privacy and Comfort-Regula-
tions for Its Conduct

By invitation of the Trustees representa-
tives of the city press were given an oppor-
tunity yesterday TO inspect the Free Public
Baths erected through the generosity OF the
late James Lick, on the corner of Tenth
and Howard streets.
The exterior of the building, which has
been already described at length and also pic
torially, presents quite an attractive appear
ance to the passer-bv, with its pressed brick
ana sandstone front, and is suggestive of
the omfort and elegance Of every appoint
nent within The establishment is divided
into three parts, viz: the male and female
divisions and the Office, with the necessary
attachments of laundry. engine-room and
Superintendents quarters; these latter run
ming through the middle Of the establish
ment and completely separating the accom-
modations for the sexes which are located
3n either side.
Directly facing the broad and handsome
entrance on Tenth street is the Saperin-
tendents Office, where the bathers on enter
ing will be provided with numbered tickets
regulating the order of their ADHESION to
tie baths. Thus provided, the men and
boys will take the door to the lett and the
women and children that to the right,
where light and airy reception rooms are To-
lated. Here, if the baths are already occu-
pied, visitors will await their turn; other
wise they will pass right through and take
the tubs assigned to them.
There are forty baths for men and twenty
for women, all alike The tubs are Of p0r-
celain, twenty inches wide, six feet long and
correspondingly deep. They are inclosed
with corrugated iron partitions, making
cosy compartments Of about eight feet
square, in which every provision for COM
tOrtable bath may be found, including comb
aud brushes, large mirror, clothes racks,
chair, table, etc.
COMFORTABLE.
Alongside of each tub is a rain-board,
and underneath a trap to carry off the
water Which may splash over or drip fl ON
.he body. Thus, even in the busiest hours
of the day ;he rooms will always be as neat
and comfortable as science and good judg-
nent can make them.
The walls of each division are nlaid with
glazed porcelain tiles, the floors are of con-
crete and the roofs of corrugated iron, sur
mounted by skylights which extend the full
ength If both departments. The ironwork
IS PAINTED light drab, and as there is moth
Ing present that can be Injured by water
every nook and corner can be washed down
IS often as occasion demands.
Directly in rear of the office is the laundry,
provided With all the most improved ma
riilnery Tor washing, wrlnging and ironing,
Win duipbc olule-IOOiH anu SItdHi uls ibS-
room. Immediately beyond is the engine
room, containing a Il horsepower engine
and 90 horsepower boiler. The engine is
connected with an arteSIan well, still farther
behind from when an inexhaustibie supply
ot water is obtained aid pumped into the
tanks Immediately overhead, of 1900 gal
Ions capacity each. The lower tank is con-
nected with the boiler and supplies all the
hot water which may be needed, while the
toId wafer comes from the upper ones.
In addition TO the accommodations noted,
seven handsomely appointed rooms are pro-
Iided ior the Superintendent and his assist
ms. These occupy the upper story, look
Dg out upon Tenth street and running back
10 the tank-tower. They include combi-
naticn dining and sitting room, Kitchen.
scnllery, three bedrooms and bath, hard
hrlsbed, with redwood trimmings and nicely
equipped for housekeeping. The building IS
provided with fixtures for the use of gas and
electricity, but at present only gas will be
used IN the lighting
WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW.
According to the rules adopted by the