The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-01-16
FRlsco's FREE BATHS.
First Days Bathing in the Tubs
Provided by millionaire Lick.

The EIrSt Days 6atn1uS IN the IuUS
Provided by Millionaire Lick.
It was very evident that the public was
not unaware of the hour at which the
Lick free baths were to be opened, as at
1 o'clock that day large crowds were be-
fore the entrance of the building on
Tenth street, near Howard. From this
time on until the baths were closed at Z
o'clock the attendants had their hands
quite full in caring for the patrons and
visitors. Men, women, boys and girls
were all there, and the r~espectability of
the class of people who benefited by the
generosity Of the great philanthropist
was particularly noticeable.
In less than half an hour after the
opening of the baths the mems depart
ment was completely filled, and the large
waiting room had from thirty to forty
in it awaiting their turn, while the cor
ridor leading from this room to the bath
rooms was filled as well. The depart
ment for the opposite sex was not SO
well ~patronized at the start. but was
fully filled, and those who did accept
of the advantages offered were of the
better walks of life. Women came by
twos, mothers with their children, nurses
with their charges, and many others
focked in to obtain visitors cards with
the evident intention of taking their
bearings and coming again.
In the department for males there are
forty rooms. These are large and light,
with walls of corrugated iron, about S
feet high and open at the top, for the
free circulation of air. The whole in
terror is painted white, and a more
scrupulously clean apartment could not
be found. Each room contains a large
tub, in which you can have either a hot
or cold bath. Each is furnished with a
neat table and chair, q mirror, beside
which is suspended brush and comb, and
ut the end of the tub there is q flesh
brush and a neat wire crate full of soap.
Half an hour is allowed each bather. If
a bather comes with his own towel there
is no charge for the bath. and a blue
ticket of admission is issued to him; if
he requires a towel a deposit of FIVE
cents is asked, and he is provided with q
yellow ticket, while if he must have two
towels he is required to deposit ten
cents, and a red ticket of admission is
given.
The major portion of those ~patronizing
the baths asked for the yellow ticket,
which must be returned with the towel.
In the mems quarter is an excellent
shower bath, but in the women's depart
ment there is none. There are just half
as many rooms in these as in the mems
quarter, and from the attendance this
seems to be a wise provision, as the pro-
portion Of patronage must have been
three or four to one in favor of the males.
A great many visitors tickets were
issued, and among those who applied for
these were many prominent business
men and many ladies who are interested
in the welfare of the masses. The baths
are open from to : p. N. on every day
except Saturday and Sunday. On Sat
urday they open at l { and close ats, while
on Sunday they are open in the morning
from Z to 10.
The baths are supplied with water
from an artesian well 200 feet deep with
a capacity of 5000 gallons an hour
San Francisco Chronicle.