The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-05-14
EXPERT DECLARES
~bATHH0USES HERE
ARE NOT SANITARY
William Paul Gerhard Points
Out Defect in Report, Uphold
ing Mrs. M. A. Jacobson.

AHL
An interesting expert report on the
sanitary conditions Of the city bath
houses has been made by William Paul
Gerhard. a consulting engineer Of New
York. to Mrs. M. A. Jacobsen, chairman
of the Newark Public Bath Improve
ment Association, Mrs. Jacobson re-
Gently stated before the health authori.
ties that the baths, a. presently con
Quoted. were isease-breeders, basinl
GONE Of her remark upon tho experts
report. which Is in part as follows:
In a~ceordance with your request to
make nm inspection and report on the
existing lighthouses OF the city of
Newark and TO give some advice with
regard to the proposed new b~Athhouse,
II went to Newark on May 3. and in
company with yourself and the city
engineer. Mr.. M. r. Sherrerd, visited
these lighthouses.
The following day ! made another
Inspection trip and visited the three
lighthouses In Morris avenue Summer
avenhe and in Walnut street,
The existing conditions at these
lighthouses are indeed very unsatis-
factory. and j fully agree with you In
calling all three of them ~antiquated
and unsanitary.
Defects OF the Bathhousea.
Three features Of the bathhouses
have impressed me as calling for se-
we're condemnation and AZ being a on
slant menace to the health Of tile BATH
Bers. One is the construction and the
condition of the swimming pools.
The second Is the lack of adequate
cleansing baths, and the Unsatisfactory
arrangement of the shower or rain
baths.
The third is the insuficient ~enforce-
ment of the rules of management. and
the federation OF ,.asanitary conditions
The pools Of ali three bathhouses are
built In concrete and cement and do
o present an attractive or Clearly
appea rance. The cemepted walls r
not desirable features. though, Of
build. One Of the three pools showed
quite an accumulation of deposit at
the bottom. In a sanitary pool there
moval Of the waterin the tanks.
In a peoples b~athhouse the shower
baths should be the chief considera-
ton, whereas in the Newark baths
these seem to be treated as . minor
None Of the three lighthouses have any
bath-tubs, and while without doubt the
f fo1mef IF Cleansing bath from I sanitary
point OF view, and much superior TO the
tub. YET | do believe that there should
have been provided 2 few bath-tuns
Gated on upper galleries, and even these
do not appear to be inviting, ana In some
cases there is insufficient light.
other serious defect. The practise OF fur
moi one which, in my Judgment, can be
The hours during which the lighthouses
are kept open do not seem to me to be
sufi1cient for the needs of the population.
Recommendation for improvements.
The most important questions for your
committee to take up are.
equipped ~bathhouses be retained and
money spent to fx them up2 =
z shall the swimming pool features Be
1. Can the baths be made thoroughly
sanitary without the expenditure Of very
i severe mistake was IN my judgment:
the swimming pool their chief
far greater value and importanes Of
! snq y ahs Da'f TIE 81 Baths aa' should "a BE rstained
only In case they can be made thoroughly
sanitary at 4 moderate expense. To ques-
s tSn best sS. e abolish the e. present swimming
I have carefully considered the propo-
stt1en Ct sm 81 shs TIRE, ths sH%lSs sthho Snssn''saS
I have become fully convinced that Il
viii not be possible without a large out
lay to improve them, so as 70 render
them sanitary ana Mt for use; The struc-
tural improvements required would In
volye the following:
First-The present Shove bath stalls
shouid be done away with and should be
by stalls fpartiiton9 and weils)
aiberene stone. Estimating roughly.
the cost Of each new shower bath stall
would be about 800.
ticnal cleansing shower baths should be
Third-The interior OF the bathhouses
should be rendered more inviting by
an the walls to a height 81 six
Feet with enamel paint
Fourth-The passage between the shower
stalls shouid be provided with eficient
weli~frapped foor. drxins.
Hlfth>ru1e dressin< closets On tne Ekl-