The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-10

One million visitors, 204, 5S1 bathers,
A picnics and $8,754.49 in receipts is
the record for 1902 at the st. Paul pub
lie baths.
Three and half million visitors,
666, 2S4 bathers and over $4,000 in re-
ceipts is the record for the three years
in which the plant has been in opera
ton.
At 10 o'clock last evening Health
Commissioner Ohage formally closed
the public baths for the year. ALI OF
the employees, with the exception of a
few laborers, were given their dis
charges, and now the only thing open
to the public is Harriet island itself,
the use of which will be allowed to pic
mic parties and those who wish to en-
JOY it's wooded beauties. -,
At no period in the history of the in
stitution has the weather been SO un-
favorable as during the past season,
yet despite this fac DR.. Ohage closes
the baths with the largest receipts Of
any one year.
OF batherS, the number was exceed
ed last veal and the year before, but
this was due to the bad weather of
this summer. OF the four months that
the institution has been open hardly a
week passed without moisture In
abundance and cool evenings that
made bathing anything but a pleasure.
This fact is substantiated by the state
ment that at no time during the four
months did the temperature of h wa
ter exceed SO degrees. Since Septem-
bed opened bathing has been almost
impossible. A year ago the institution
was kept in operation until the close
Of September.
Both Sexes Patronize the Baths.
OF those who patronized the bathing
facilities this season, 1922 were men
and boys and $3.50 women and girls,
the latter being the largest number in
any one year since the island was
opened to the public.
The first year the number of bathers
was 236, 900, and last year 225, 900. In
the three years of the islands history
534,405 men and boys and 131,379 men,
berS of h gentler sex patroniZed the
baths. Figuring five visitors to every
bather, and this DR.. Ohage thinks is
very conservative, 1000, 600 people have
visited Harriet this year, while for the
three years the number a not been
far short of $4,000 00.
Cared for 4,o31 Babies.
Another institution located on Har-
riet island and which has been heavily
patronized this year is the Whitcomb
baby nursery. 1t, like the baths, is
closed for the season, and last night its
books showed that 4,031 babies had
been taken care of, and SITS visitors
registered. The nursery was erected
by Assemblyman Whitcomb last year,
but its practical use was confined to
this past season.
Yesterday the public baths was Wis
tied by a committee from the Mime
apolis council and the members were
favorably impressed, though express
ing much surprise at the action of the
city in permitting ar approach hat
they considered anything but a thing
of beauty. The presence of the Omaha
tracks also received their disapproval,
they saying that If Minneapolis had
such an institution such conditions
would not be allowed to prevail for a
moment.
Dr.. Ohaee Is Happy.
considering the bad weather I think
the baths have done wonderfully we'll
this year." said DR.. Ohage last night,
but 1 am afraid few people realize the
work it has imposed on my depart
ment. 1 really feel relieved that the
season is over, but I would be more
than happy if the baths could be used
the year around. If that approach was
only bettered I would be the happiest
man in the world. 1 know the baths
are appreciated by the people, but
those who could add to it's beauty seem
to be afraid to give their help"
DR.. Ohage said he would not give over
his efforts to rid the approach of the
Gedney spur track.
'It must be DONE" emphatically re-
marked the doctor asst night. II in
tend to go ahead improving the island,
and that is one of the things that must
come out"