The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-27

new law was obeyed. But Jan. J., 1897,
the city of Buffalo opened public bath
that cost $4,000 exclusive of its site. AL
though such provision had accidently been
omitted from the law, Buffalo afforded not
merely free baths but free soap and the
free use of clean towels. So popular had
the Buffalo bath become two years ago
that another establishment on the same
lines was planned to be erected the same
season. This second bath is no doubt
in operation.
When Rochester, N. Y, proposed to OBJ
serve the public bath law, opposition to
the expense was offered-presumably by
that class of citizens who would oppos~
eternal salvation If it added to the tax
rate. But the law was held by the courts
to be strictly constitutional and bath
house costing $4,000, exclusive of the land,
was opened at Rochester IN 1899. A year
later December, 1900) plans were being
considered for erecting two more bath
houses. The average daily attendance at
the first bath during a year and a half
was $50 persons.
Under the same law the city Of Albany
appropriated two years ago the sum of
$4,000 for public baths.
Yonkers Is one Of the smaller New York
towns that according to the scattered
statistics published, has "a small estab-
lishment" for bathing at all seasons OF
the year.
fCme Fad S,CuO <FuOilC 6d1nS'
Rome" said an American writer two
years ago. provided for its citizens with
out charge no less than 5000 public baths.
New York city, with a greater population
than that of the metropolis on the T1ber,
has not yet one free public bath that fur
nishes hot water or that can be used In
the late autumn, in the winter, or in the
early spring.
At the beginning of last year there were
hot houses
city. These baths We're open only from
June to October yet they were IN such
demand that they had accommodated an
nually 1000, 900 bathers. The cost Of main
tanning the baths was SAC, 900 year as
against thirteen times as much expended
by the city of London for similar pur-
poses.
But even before the foregoing state
ment was published New York city had
erected, in Rivington street, close to
crowded district, a public, an-the-year-
bath that cost. inclusive Of the site, $780,
900. This building accommodates 5000
bathers day, allowing each person TWEEN
| ty minutes. Several other baths have
since been built in the Borough Of Man
haitian, but Brooklyn had. not long ago,
no free public baths that were open
throughout the year.
Although New York city displayed a
| spasmodic interest in public baths fifty
| years ago, and encouraged for a time a
plan that led to no results, Boston has
long been more active than other Amerl-
can cities in the upbuilding Of a free bath
| system. Less than two years ago the hub
had eighteen free sea water baths and
two baths that supplied hot and cold wa
ter and were open the year around. The
proposal was made at Boston, within a
comparatively short time, to Introduce a
| free swimming course into all the city
schools. The Easements Of some school
buildings have already been fitted up for
! bathing purposes.
Brookllne's PaIatlal Baths
It was nearly six years ago that the lit
the town Of Brookline, twenty miles from
Boston, opened the finest free public bath
house in all America. This ornate build
Ing In which marble and "art tiles are
prominent, cost $4,000 exclusive Of the
site. The surrounding grounds form an
appropriate frame Of landscape garden
ing" Within the building there are sew
eral swimming pools lined with tiles and
| adorned with marble steps. Not only is
hot water to be had, but even the stone
floor Is heated by concealed pipes. There
is steam laundry in one apartment. I'm
der the same roof the lucky Brooklinites
can revel In that unusual luxury, "hai1
| drying room'
At first the Brookline baths were abso-
lutely free. But the directors soon learned
the familiar lesson that more Importance
is attached to the bathing and a larger
| patronage Is attracted from all classes
when nominal charge Is demanded. A
| uniform fee was therefore fixed Of five
cents for soap, towel and bathing costume
The advantages Of this admirable in
stitution were extended promptly to the
pupils Of the Brookline public schools
Every child was required to take swim
ming lessons. In the year 1897-9S such
lessons were given to 1850 boys and girls
The children have been eager to avail
| themselves of this chance of acquiring
knowledge in fashion so amusing. Pat
rons of the bath have come from families
Of every social position. Two swimming
clubs-one composed of high school pupils
have been formed. Most Of the boys and
girls have become competent swimmers
and every pupil Is expected to learn suf-
f1cient Of the art to save his own life ir