The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-16
CROWDS BArnB ADD WEIR
sen- cenis'p New Rule NJ e the Public nasn,
Proves y neon 60 many.

@N"- W haabls
Now that the FREQ baths are omen ali nirbt.
That part OF tho city's population which works
all day and until late in the evening, and that
part which does not work at all. are Commencing
TO take advantage Of the opportunity to cool
themselves Off, free from tho annoyance of a
myriad OF squirming, naked youngsters. During
the daytime the baths arc almost monnpolixed
by boys who have nothing better to do than
spend their spare time in the water. Under the
rule which obtained up TO Tuesday, the baths
were closed at 0 o'clock in the evening. Chill
dren under 10 years of age were not admitted
after D O'Clock, but the time between then and
the hour of closing was too limited to give many
OF the working people q chance.
Owing to the hot weather. Gen. Coils issued
an order last Monday to the effect that tho baths
were to be kept open tweuty-four hours in the
day. The wisdom of the chance is manifest, for
there has not been a minute since then, no mat
ter how early or how late, that crowds have not
been in attendance at all the fifteen baths. 1t
Is rather hard on the keepers, as they arc
never of duty, but as they are getting
extra pay for their overtime and as there
are three at each bath to divide tho watches,
they are not protesting to any great extent.
The only person who really feels hurt In the
mall boy. He can't understand why he
shouldn't DO allowed to spend oil night as we'll
- - tSAih erOuuu In tno WhUer, anu inc
splashing in the bathhouses after tho hours In
which they are forbidden him are O great tribu-
lation.
About 8 o'clock last night three young chaps,
with their infnitesimal bathing suits tucked
away. carefully under their arms, started to
march past Keeper Jack Bresnan at the Battery
Here, you," he said to tho leader as no
siEed the youngsters ny. "how old are you
Yes you are. You're nearer 2. Chase your
Tho youngster faltcrod, but tho other two,
walked way up in the air, and succeeded in run.
ming the gauntlet. Their companion. accepting
and sat down to await their return. His ox-
pressed opinion OF Bresnan is not ut for publica-
ton. although 1t would make q prima facie case
Most Of the bathers at the Battery were big,
brawny, leboring men with knotted muscles and
sunburned arms and faces AS 1t grew later this
element thinned out end another, much moro
interesting from a spectacular point of view, be;
The first batch arrived about II o'clock. There
iudsn rSHE IN Gl d iSsG aad 70 5t tax S ths S INV Was s s%i.
thing. but one of them didn't seem to feel quite
Say Bill he said to Bresnan. dis is all free.
ANT ain It'll IT'S. Ell Pats whgt / fought Nc
Have, you, got bathing suits q asked Dresnan.
Yer betcher life. Seef and the qnartette
towels. They had sewed them anu PINNED them
into the semblance OF bathing trunks. -,
Amt you afraid you'll have hydrophobia r.
suggested the keeper with a grin.
Not nessusscrily." replied the spokesman Of
the party. "Is'pose yer t'ink dc editur NV O
comic pape nd have a hemurage ef he seen us;
but done know. C'mon fellers," and in they
waded.
The water did not seem to affect them in any
way save for the, better, and a half hour later
they reappeared looking much improved.
On the lower east side the baths were patron
lied in the main by sweatshop workers.
After their long, hot day In tho shops hundreds
Of them sought the baths at tho foot OF Market,
Grand, and Fifth streets and kept them. SO
crowded that the keepers were obliged to allow
each bather only twenty minutes. This Is a rule
OF the Department OF Public Works with refer
enSe 70 Ine oAIhs when they are oysrGroWdc9.
which are reserved for women. the paths will be
kept open the same as other nights.