The Saint Paul globe., 1900-02-18

Cordial Interest in the Details of
gestions as to the Identification
of the Island, Which Will No
Doubt Be Followed.
When Health Commissioner Ohage re-
ceipted for check for 81 900 from James
J. Hill yesterday he drew long breath
and made up his mind right there that
the free public baths for st. Paul, to
which he has been devoting his energies
during the recent months would certainly
materialize at the appointed time.
So large an unsolicited subscription was
unexpected, and while DR.. Ohage knew
| that Mr. Hill had taken considerable in
terest in the free bath proposition, he
declares the check was one Of the most
agreeable surprises he ever encountered.
"If there was anything needed in the
way Of encouragement to public subscrip-
scription, 1t was just what Mr.. Hill has
done,' said the commissioner last night,
land the best part of 1t Is that the dona-
ton was made in a manner that proved
the donor has an interest in the public
welfare. From what Mr.. Hill has said to
| me at different times I knew he felt an
interest more than ordinary. He gave the
subject sufficient thought to suggest the
propriety or possibility of establishing
some sort of public park or resort for
women and children on the island. 1 was
| more than pleased to get the suggestion
| and told him the idea was thoroughly
practical. The island has many natural
| advantages for that purpose. I should
| say it is at least twenty acres in extent,
and in the summer season 1t has the ad-
| vantage Of ample shade and pure air.
| Ten thousand people could readily find
room to move about and enjoy few
| hours relaxation there. It would be a
| great thing. for women and children, who
could find rest, enjoyment and pure
| atmosphere. with more room than can
| be found In the public parks
| DR.. Ohage's plans for free public baths
| were conceived several years ago. His
| plans, adapted from similar establish
ments at Continental European cities, in
| volve an expenditure of $1,000. Of this
| sum, $1,000, including the amount sent in
| by Mr. Hill, have been raised by public
| subscription Several months ago the
| work of cleaning up the island was COM
menced. The pontoon foundation for the
| bath house Is almost complete, and DR..
| Ohage said last night the baths would be
| open to the public May 26 About 100000
| feet of lumber has been purchased and
| will be delivered over, the ice to the ISL
and before the river opens. "A gang of
| twelve men Is kept constantly at work,
! and, as soon as the building construc-
| tion can be commenced, large force of
| carpenters will be put to work. Work OH
| the construction of bridge from the
west shore out to the island will be COM
| menced early next month. This bridge
| will have foot and driveway, and ar
rangements will be perfected for the care
| of bicycles.
''When completed 1t will be purely q
city institution said DR.. Ohage. "It will
| be under the direct supervision of the
| health department and will be self-sup-
| porting. Prof. Julius G. Hermann, teach
| er of physical culture in the public
schools will be superintendent of the
| baths, and it will be regularly policed by
/ the city. Higher water than we had In
| 1881 might submerge the island but no
damage will result to the buildings, be-
| cause all will be constructed one foot
| above the high water mark of that year.
| High water will have no effect on the
| bath house, as its foundation will be on
pontoons. There will be no water over
seven or eight feet deep, and none but
persons whom we know can swim will be
! permitted in the deep water
| 1--WE want to get the baths in opera
| ton this year, and improvements may
be made each year in accordance with
| the net earnings"
| DR.. Ohage was first impressed with the
| availability of Harriet island for the pur-
| pose on account of the shade that could
be secured by clearing out the small
growth of timber and trimming up the
| larger trees. He has in view the building
! of graveled walks, paths and roadways,
| and the construction of rustic summer
| houses pavilions and benches. The mate
| rial for this work Is to be found in the
| willow trees on the island, the only ex-
penditure necessary being for labor.
| The health commissioner has prepared
| q set Of rules for the government Of the
baths which are appended herewith:
Notice to the Public-These baths, and
| to belong to the citizens of St. Paul-to
| you You are part owner Of them and
| are therefore interested in their success
| and reputation. Interest yourself sufll-
| and your treatment of others that they
may be source of healthy and joyful
recreation for our fellow citizens. as In
| tended.
| If you bring your own soap, towel and
| bath suit no charge will be made and
you have free access to the grounds,
| If you choose not to trouble yourself
with this, you can get: A bath suit,
| towel and soap for two cents (2c), or,
| private cabinet, with locker, for one
half (1a) hour; bath suit, two towels and
| one piece Of soap for five. cents (5c).
On application you get instructions in
| swimming free of charge. AT the res
| taurant you can get light lunch, coffee,
! tea, milk or beef tea, rolls or sand
wiches at a low figure. enough to cover
| the cost only.
| taurant are made In checks only, which
! YOU can get of the cashier In two-cent
| and fve-cent &c and SCI denominations.
| No attendant is allowed to receive
| money
While more than ordinary precautions
| are taken by the attendants towards the
| safety of the bathers and their property
! the board of health or the city Of st.
Paul assumes no responsibility in cases
| Of accident or theft.
1 The baths and restaurant are under the
direct control of the board of health.
which vouches for their cleanliness and
| sanitary condition. N :
The baths are open during. the season.
every day. Sundays included, from a.
| m to II p. m
| j. Ohage, Manager,
/ Commissioner of Health.
| Rules for visitors to the st. Paul pub
| lie bath grounds.
| No intoxicating drinks Of any kind are
| allowed on the grounds, nor are people
| in a state of intoxication admitted.
| No one afflicted with a loathsome dis
! ease or contagious disease Is permitted to
/ bathe.
| All obscene or boisterous language and
| indoaapt conduct ara STRICTLY forbidden