The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12

ished metal. brick, etc., is copied after the
English models. and is ideal.
TUBS are seldom used now in public bath
houses; experience has taught that they are
difficult to keep clean, are more expensive.
and on the whole, less practicable than
the hot and cold shower or rain bath.
In the peoples baths of New York each
bathroom consists of small dressing room,
which opens into a smaller compartment
containing bench placed under the spray
faor on the water falls on sloping stone
sewer. The building can be cleansed
throughout by a hose several times day
If necessary. Those DESTROYS of bathing
can procure bath ticket for cents-the
price or glass of beer-which entities the
holder to the use of bath towel, a piece
of soap and a bathroom for twenty-five
minutes. In the woman's department a
rubber cap is provided if desired.
This peoples bath contains between twen-
ty-hve and thirty rooms, and is capable of
bathing 920 people day. Its yearly ex-
penses amount to something over 5000, and
its receipts to nearly $4,000. Some free
tickets are given; but out of total of 2,352
Now, it ought to be quite impossible to
make any study of public baths without
being fired with a desire to establish them
IN ones own city. The need is evident,
and success is assured. Almost in the fash
OF one enthusiastic moment an association
was formed in Philadelphia last February
and in March was chartered as the Public
Baths Association of Philadelphia.
During the last eight months its directors
have worked steadily and the result of this
labor is as follows:
lot 60 by 40 feet. at the southeast corner
of Berlin and Gaskil1 streets. in the heart
OF Philadelphia's poorest districts, has been
purchased at a cost of $3.50.
The plans for the first building are also
complete. Some features are taken directly
from the Peoples baths, some from those
in London. 1t is thought that the architect,
Mr.. Louis E. Marie, has been able to i'm
prove on all the plans used hitherto, in
respect to general arrangement, light and
ventilation. While the proposed building Is
to be nearly twice as large as the Peoples
baths, of New York, the cost Of its con-
struction will be about the same, and it is
hoped that the large accommoda tions-one
thousand baths per day-will make the re-
ceipts nearly equal to the running expenses.
The first story Of the Gaskill-street baths
will be devoted to men, the second to
women; each has a separate entrance and
waiting room, both the entrances being
overlooked by a common office. The interior
is to be of glazed brick, iron, ground glass
and concrete.
Connected with this institution there will
be a public laundry where, for small sum,
separate waShtubS, drying-horseS, ironing
have no place in their contracted rooms
to do their family washing. The towels
from the bath house will also be washed
here. A high basement is utilized for this
purpose.
This latter feature of the Philadelphia
plan was copied directly from the London
to have washhouse in connection with the
bath house.
Our building, with its fifty-seven bath
rooms, laundry, engine room. and Janitors
apartment, will cost not less than $2S,VU,
exclusive of the cost of the ground.
OF this sum the directors have raised by
subscription between $4,000 and $4,000 1t
SIS 900 be collected before starting to build.
1t is quite possible that beginning may De
made by the spring of 1896.