New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-23
THE PUBLIC BATH CUBS
WHERE THE Fast SIDERS ARE I'm THE
SWIM" OFF BATTERY PARK.
NO PARIS COSTUMES SUGGESTED. BUT REAL COM
FORT TAKEN ~ CALICO ROBES OF

NONDESCRIPT FASHION.
About three thousand women and children are
accommodated on the days these baths are open.
coming from the districts where summer outings
are an unknown quantity. where the streets are
the only refuge from the sitting heat Of the tene-
,nents to .eke the plunge In sea water. which
helps 20 ward Of the scourge Of disease and the
physical effects Of exhaustion.
The costumes a. the baths not daily hints
from Paris" The woarers are Indifferent TO style
and cut us 70 whether the fabric clings or sheds.
Calico IS usually preferred. because OF !'s cheap
ness
These women and children are good swimmers
They need no elaborate swimming apparatus. The
only preseryer or view was carried by little girl
OF thirteen thercahouts-it is always ihcreaoou's
en- the East Slde-gowned in a cliI.grs suit OF sea-
veed-colored cambria The life preserver consisted
OF some rough blocks Of wood sawed in the centre
and strung knotted rope she admit''d
nroudly that II was homemade. and drew little
apart from her less favored friends. conscious OF
the power of her landed estate. When the baths
are we'll patronzed. only twenty minutes are A.
lowed to each rather. and on the ringing OF bel
ali persons in the water must como out 10 make
room for the next lot. The water ranges in depth
from about three feet and n hall 10 four and half
or five so that children. beginners and swimmers
may all be accommodated.
The desire TO have ones picture taken is Unborn
IN the feminine breast whether the owner OF the
region which furnishes the patrons Of the free
baths at Battery Park Visitors. lovers or East
Side picturesqueness with its lack OF conventional
restraint and clothing wandered yesterday into
the free baths which overlook the glories OF the
Bay and which sport the sign ladies' Day
The East Side child emerging from or immeTeing
INTO It's bath does not wait Cor the cold formates
or nroductions. or the prehminarles Ql acquai-
tance but plunges into tho subject as she uots ,e
water with frank readiness which Is us redeen-
ing feature. c. ,,,,o
a group of half-cad. damp? cinging young water :
rails settled Ike harnacles all oyer the
where entreaty failed. and ny announcing that TIE
best place Corner 5e 6 o the o asey Which the
inclosed tank safety TO the person was assured
Ths e. East WAT S'1e BECOMES Of the pccr after ITS
TUX Whether It is good lkensss %h nrncass or
sod al mnTese some literary efruson the
sensitive plates Of the sunday paper reader
r mp isFcn is the Satisfying fact Perhaps she
ima gnes that some occult good IKE ,i he- vstsm
Al any take The pcinrs ana TsT p,nk rinE
ham gowns and prehensile toes Is assured.
VALUABLE GIFT
,barc js probably no gift Of the rich city TO It's
moor relatives which IS appreciated than these
nublic baths unless II is public library All gay
long on the prescribed day women and chiIdreh
with their newspa per-covered parcels coh'a''''hs
their amusingly unconventional garments may ne
seen hurrying toward the outer edge OF Battery
Park soon to be plunging in the cool water NOT
as clean, perhaps. as IL might be, ou' ihih''e''
cooler and cleaner than none at all ,,..
There are more pretcrtious baths a, mo bar.etts
rbnre for q cents one may attain a certain
smount OF sccluson for these baths are open every
ssay 1io Until q D. m for women for from a
m until $50 D m. and on sundays from d ~
u NM D snS chidren on Mondays Wednesdays and
Fridays. and the rest OF the week for men