New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-25
FOR PUBLIC CONTINGENCIES.
EFFORTS OF THE CITY IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
To INTRODUCE NEEDED REFORMS

EFFORTS OF THE CITY IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
TO INTRODUCE NEEDED REFORMS
Tho city improvement Society has been giving
It, attention for some time 10 the need throughout
IN" city OF greater number Of public toilet booths
and lavatores The attention Of the society was
drawn toward this need more particularly In such
places Riverside Drive. where upon occasions
like the great naval parade hundreds Of people
remained FOR hours. and at that time many OF
the private houses actually bcsieged by women
ana children who could not so long distance
TO their homes. Physicians attest that such
restraint operates in many injuriously to
health; 1t Is well known. In fact In one instance
that prominent merchant OF New York lost his
lifc from a similar cause.
Public convenienccs exist to n limited extent In
the principal parks. but these are SO few and SO
widely separated that they practically used
only by nurses and children In two OF three of the
city squares.
In Paris. az is well-known. the sidewalks are lined
with these booths and here and there. at con-
yenleni intervals. more complete lsvatory Is
may be used without the necessity OF persons
taken suddenly III, depending upon shops or other
with View, Of assertaning the opinions OF the
president Of the Eoard Of Health upon the pro-
posed improvements now occupying the attention
Of me ciiy lmprovement Society. II Tribune re-
who said: II am very decidedly Of the opinion
mat steps should be taken by the city authorities
for the pubics physical dem"ndss WV" '''''''''
lie cited those retiring places provided at the
elevated railway stations resorts of great con-
venience to the public although incomplete in
their appointments He further stated that he
had no power To promote these resorts. but when
others did h. would make II his business TO look
after the keeping them In good sanitary con-
ditOn.
Salem II Wales formerly of the Park Board. was
greatly pleased that this que ion being agitate
he thought IL OF prime importance and to be
interests of everybody LAT the city be properly
provided for In this respect. The Rev. DR.. Maynard
chaplain Of the 9Th Regiment. and also Professor
VincenzO Boh'a recently Of Columbia College. and
club. both cited the provisions made for the public
in the streets Of all European ches. and they hoped
that hundreds of these booths would be provided for
the public instead Of the limited numbers at
present In the parks.
Dr Charles Stuart Wells. No. a West Twenty
siX.h-st. who has spent much time In the European
capitals having been AT one time associated with
Or. Johnson. the well-known American physician
In Paris said:
81 am glad there Is n movement on foot In adj
vancing such reform. Prtidshness should not be
allowed 10 stand in the way Of such desirable i'm
proyement. irudahnesi has. perhaps. done
harm than good, and certainly caused much misery
IN the world | heartily indorSe any scheme look
ing toward the establishment OF greater sanitary
and hygcnic facilities. People are too apt To over
tax their bodily strength. and when that tendency
Is forced upon them for want OF proper public
vcnence IL becomes a matter OF pubc concern and
II H. the dry the city officials To look after and
remedy the evil II poss.-.e Doubtless more dis
orders are set M In the body through the nervous
relieves engcndercl by irregular daily habits than
any other one cause o, disease. Viewing imperfect
health from such "A point of View. the mere matter
OF public accommodations for the normal habits
should be provided as a matter or course"