New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-11
A PLENTIFUL USE OF WATER.
SUPPLY IN THE RESERVOIRS SUFFICIENT
FOR PRESENT EMERGENCIES.
n.TJr7r.Bs AND sPRINKLERs CONSTANTLY IL
sERvIcE-RusH OF THE TENEMENT HOUSE
csEe 10 FREE BATHS

sERyIcE-RusH OF THE TENEMENT HOUSE
CLASSES TO THE FREE BATHS.
The consumption OF water in the city during the
last week has been enormous on account OF the
heat Bathtubs have been in almost constant use
in dwelling houses and in the tenement houses
which are without bathtubs the occupants have
kept the water running all the time. Wherever
water could be used to sprinkle streets. floors or
Yards for cooling purposes 1t has been used lavish
ly At the Office Of Chief Engineer Brdsall. Of
the Croton Aqueduct Department. II was said yes
terday that the daily consumption OF water In the
city has been about 2i5Ooo.0o1 gallons.
Notwithstanding this enormous consumption II
is declared thai there Is no danger OF a water
famine. The water no longer TO waste over
the Croton dam. 10 be sure. but the streams from
the Croton region are pouring in supply every
day which nearly equals the daily consumption. and
there is stored in the great reservoirs of the city
an amount OF water which is believed to he sufn-
cent for the needs Of the city for month In ord-
nary times. The amount of stored water Is about
Is 600 900 Co gallons.
The rush the fifteen free baths along the water
fronts ot tn city has been great that the at
tendants have been almost unable TO keep the
crowds In check at times. Women allowed to
enter the baths on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fri
days. and and boys on Tuesdays. Thursdays
Saturdays and few hours Sunday mornings A
policeman has been detailed AZ each bath to keep
the applicants Tor free bathing in line while whit
ing their turn. Three four men and three
women are employed at each bath as attendants
Last week more than 6o,C00 persons bathed at the
free bath at the Battery. and nearly half that
number at the Duanc-st. free bath. At the Bat
terry bath Il necessary TO apply twenty min
ute limit to the time for bathing.
At the public bath at Duane-st.. at o'clock yes
terday afternoon. Tribune reporter was informed
BY the matrcn that up to that hour from o'clock
In the morning. about 1900 women, girls and babies
had bathed. ana that Ii expected that the
number would be increased to fully 1000 before the
closing Of the bath at o'clock. The bath was in
good order and the attendants good natured and
cheerful The bathcrs wcll-behaved and en-
toyed their baths so much that they were 10th to
leave the water when the twenty minutes allow ed
to each had expired From m. TIL on
Sunday there were 1000 men who ayailed themselves
Of the privileges of the bath. The who use
this bath principally longshoremen, although
there many market laborers and others
employed Ia packing houses and wholesale
produce stores Among the men, women and chill
dren who use this bath many Italians who live
in the neighborhood Of the Five Points.
From the opening Of the bath, on July 4, up to
August S. there were !23 $50 bathers Of whom 700
were women girls and babies. Last year. when
the baths were opened about three weeks earlier
there were only 5000 bathers up to the correspond
ing date.