The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-04
BATHS
Would They Work Well
In Chinatown?
Varying Opinions on the Subject
Among Representative Citi-
zens Of Honolulu.

the Advertiser that free public baths !
be located in Chinatown, so that the
inhabitants as we'll as the locality may
be kept clean, we have obtained the
following representative opinions:
F. \. Schaefer says the idea is
good one, though it might be difficult
Of execution. THE japanese appear
to be fond of bathing, but the Chinese
do not" said he, land do not think
they can be compelled to battle Still,
the establishment of free baths might
get them into better habits. at pres
ent there are expensive problems TO
deal with, and this may go over to the
future, as an appropriation would be
required"
II. E. Waity said he had not studied
the points in the Advertisers editorial
of yesterday, but he expressed the
opinion that the plan of free baths is
a good one, though il is doubtful
whether the Government could dictate
the customs of a people and declare
that they must take a bath once a
month, or twice a day. But II free
baths in the Chinese quarter would
bring about more cleanliness il would
be good thing.
Il have given the suggestion very lit
tie study, having only glanced over it
hastily, as yet" said T. F. Lansing, but
think it would be necessary to drive
them into a bath. The idea of free
baths, however, is a good one
r. NJ. Hatch said he believed the Chi
nese, personally, were pretty clean and
were in the habit of bathing. But the
idea of free bath is an excellent
n L.
penditure by the Council of State which
will put the town in a sanitary condi-
ton. but the plans do not go far
enough. There should be a filling up
OF the swamps near Honolulu and a
suspension of further burials in the old
burying ground right in the heart of
the city. Far-reaching and extensive
arrangements by the Council of State
are necessary, for we must go to the
root of the matter and remove every
possible cause of disease.
]. b. Atherton favors the introduce
ton of free salt water baths upon gen
eral principles; but questions whether
the Chinese could be prevailed upon to
make use of them. From personal
experience" said Mr.. AthertOn, Il
have found the Chinese and Japanese
most cleanly in person, however neg
lectful they may be in regard TO their
homes. The Chinese / have from time
to time employed as servants would
battle every evening after their days
work was done. Some of them would
be content with a bucketful of water
and a towel, it is true, but they gave
themselves a very good wetting even
with this primitive method. What the
practice of the average Chinaman is at
home, of course, | do not know. The
Jap would undoubtedly make good use
Of free baths. in view OF his early train
ing in this direction. AS for the Chi
nese, however, l do not believe they
would take kindly to such an innova-
ton. however much it may rank above
his usual bucket bath. \ warm water
shower would probably meet his views
better
L. L. McCandless echoes the words
of Mr. Atherton in regard to the per-
sonal cleanliness of Cinnamon, and as
crihes the filthy condition of China
town in a great measure to the
lack of facilities for removal of refuse
and dirty water. The garbage carts
provided are absolutely unable to cope
with the demand made upon them,
and neither the Chinaman nor any 9TH
er man could keep his premises in
perfect sanitary condition in such a
miserably jumbled up locality as Chi
natown. a more stringent inspection
would undoubtedly go a long way to-
wards the desired end. The compile
ton of the sewer system VIII provide
an easy means for the removal of dirty
water. etc, and the rebuilding of GER
tain portions of the more filthy locali-
ties will put an end to the trouble. AS
for the Chinese themselves, / have al
ways found them cleanly in person,
but do not believe they would fall in
with the idea Of a public salt water
bath"
Mr.. Z. T. Paxton considers the
scheme a good one. and believes the
Chinese would in time patronize such
baths, although in regard to personal
cleanliness he has always found them
satisfactory.
Mr.. c. NJ Cooke is of the opinion
that a public bath would be a most
desirable acquisition to the city, but
he considers that a warm water show
er bath would be found more accept
able TO the Chinese and Japanese than
a cold water plunge or swimming bath.
The substitution of steam for gasoline
power would provide the heat neces-
SaTy and the refuse water might be
sent out to sea again through the
medium of the ordinary sewer. "Japs
certainly favor a hot water bath and
will always make good use of water.
Chinese are also personally clean, but
it is doubtful If they could be prevailed
upon TO make use Of free public baths;
at any rate, some time and persuasion
would be necessary TO get them to do
So voluntarily and frequently"