New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-07
HENTCTPAI BiTHS.


The need and Importance of public baths
have como TO be widely recognized during the
last few years; but, as a rule, there has been
no attempt to establish such baths for the
whole year And even the bathing facilities
In summer that most municipalities provide are
strictly utiltarlan In their character None or
the luxurious accessories that add so much to
the pleasure Of baths In well-appointed private
houses are provided. Oftentimes the water Is
ANYTHING but clean, and the dressngrooms are
archaic I'm their simplicity. II Is strange that
this should be so in an age like this, when the
tendency toward luxury Is so general and when
the per capita wealth Of the world Is so much
greater than IL ever was before. Why for In
stance should not the taxpayers OF New-fork
insist on free municipal public baths open all
the year around that would rival the luxurious
baths of ancient Rome? New-YOrk could GER
tanly afford such baths, and they would give
vastly more pleasure TO the masses OF PLAIN
people most of whom possess very restricted
bathing facilities in their own homes. than
would almost any other great municipal enter
prise.
This thought is suggested by the success Of
the all-the- yea -round public baths OF Brook
line Mass which, though not free are so mod
crate in price that they are within the reach
OF practically all the citizens. Some time ago
the citizens took the matter into consideration,
and I'm January, 1897, a completely equipped
bathhouse was thrown open TO the public for
use every day except Sunday. that one limta-
ton being concession TO the Puritan senti-
ment Of the community. which believes that
people ought to worship rather than battle on
Gu Tha IL a IA
feet long and 50 feet wide, with facilities am
pie for the needs Of all who are likely to
patronlze IT, 1t contains rain baths, shower
baths. private baths and a plunge bath-all
built and equipped on the most approved mod
ern principles. The swimming pool is 80 feet
long and 20 feet wide, containing 10000 gallons
of absolutely clean water. which is renewed as
often as occasion requires The sides of the
pool are Of white glazed brick, and the bottom
of white adamantlne mosaic. Steps OF white
Tennessee marble lead down into the pool,
which is six feet deep at one end and three feet
at the other, thus providing for the needs of
women and children. The dressing rooms. which
are arranged around the outside OF the build
ing. are handsomely decorated and furnished
In way TO satisfy the taste Of the most fas-
tidlous people The record Of baths for the
last year was more than $4,000 the average
during the summer being about 1,5o0 week.
The regulations make provision for maintain
ing the absolute cleanliness of the rooms and
the water. and they are rigidly enforced.
Each applicant for bathing receives key TO
"a dressing room, towels and a bathingdress,
land after disrobing HES him TO the rain bath.
whence he energies cleansed and ready for
1.-The enjoyment Of the large pool No one Is
allowed to enter the pool or the instruction
baths until he has been thoroughly washed in
a cleansing bath and has afterward stood in
a shower bath of such temperature as he may
desire. The time limit for the shower bath is
three minutes for men and boys, and five min
utes for women and girls All deflement Of
the water by expectoration or otherwise Is for
hidden. as Is also the use Of tobacco. Dogs
are not admitted and any DETACHMENT or break
age Is charged TO the person responsible for IT.
The scale Of prices Is from to 10 cents for
thirty minutes use and free baths are pro-
vded at certain hours. A matron Is In at
tendance for women and girls. and at certain
hours private baths may he obtained, with In
strucion in swimming, II desired. "The health
Of the people Is the beginning of happiness
Is the motto chosen by the Brookline authori-
ties for this most excellent institution. which
now bids fair to become self-supportlng
Europe IS far ahead of this country In this
matter. The New-York State Legislature passed
a law in 1895 making the establishment OF pub
lie baths compulsory in cities Of the first and
second class. and under Mayor Strongs admin
istrntlon an intelligent effort was made to carry
out this law. But though something has been
done In the matter, largely through private
effort. the great public bath suggested by his
committee remains yet unbult. and his sue
cessor has given no indication that the pres
emf city administration Is paying the slightest
attention TO the subject
The President has amply earned real vaca-