New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
MUNICIPAL BATHS.
MAYOR sTRONG's FALSE START AND THE PRES
ENT PROSPECT OF SECURING THEM

MAYOR STRONG'S FALSE START AND THE PRES
ENT PROSPECT OF SECURING THEM.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir Your timely editorial the subject OF
municipal baths I'm Sundays issue dwells with
proper emphasis upon the great need Of cleansing
baths in this city and upon the fact that the sum-
mer swimming baths which refreshing. do not
clean. Inasmuch bathing suits are demanded.
soap cannot be applied Moreover. warm water is
required for a good cleansing bath You estimate
correctly the value OF the Brookne public baths.
and your inquiry why the taxpayers OF this great
city should not insist upon such baths for the peo-
pie" is pertinent ana well-tmed
You say correctly that "a law was passed In 1895
making the establishment OF public baths compul-
sorry in cities OF the first and second class" But
you arc I'm error I'm stating that IAN intelligent
effort was made under Mayor Strong's administra-
ton TO carry out the law" The Mayor did his
duty by appointing a Bath Committee. whose I'm
elligent effort" is characterized as follows by THE
Medical Record" OF May s. 1897
What has the Mayors committee accomplished
during the last two years? Absolutely nothing. ex-
cept the obstruction Of the great movement In
their report of 1856 pages %g naVe re te
l7D: The law being mandatory with reference 70
e 9S no 81 rphep action could be taken without
additional legislation" Wise Solons these We
25 1896. either to mandatory or permssiye use OF
the public parks for public baths. mus me
MAYORS
ders In delaying the construction OF public baths
When this blunder was discovered the New-York
Academy Of Medicine appointed a committee TO
visit the Mayor, point out TO him the erroneous
construction of his committee. and urge the i'm
mediate execution OF the law without further legs
latIon Mayor Strong at recognized this blur
der when the Academy committee called upon him.
He set about theoretically TO select site and to
obtain bids for the construction OF bathhouse.
Unfortunately he was again influenced by his
Bath Committee which adhered to It's original
plan OF building an enormous bathhouse. despite the
following warning contained I'm THE Medical Rec
ord referred to above;
These places should offer simple warm water,
soap and towels be clearly and cleansing. aces
sibe 10 the poor built modest scale as to size
and cost and they should offer water as free as the
parks offer air. Such II the pain tne protector
Seems 10 have contemplated In all his addresses
and writings and appeals. Instead OF such small
centrally oca ted baths the Mayors committee pro-
posed 10 ornament" Tompkins square WIFI a
9th n nublic laundry. etc. Much as we regret the
DELAY in this benencent movement due 10 the Wen,
meaning hui impotent Mayors committee, we snali
regard the delay as a blessing II II arouses the city
srter ~ the committee and induces them 70 seek
more practicable guides In the construction OF THESE
free baths.
As a result OF the disregard OF this weli-umed
.uggestion the Mayors committee recommended
pIans for a great bath TO accommodate two thousand
bathers daily with public washhouse' Attachment
etc Mt a cost OF nearly 10000. This Is now In
course of construction In Rvington-st near
Coerck-st under the Commissioner Of Public
Works II s. Kearny. who received me pans anu anu
Contracts as a legacy from the last ADMINISTRATION