Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-22
BATHHOUSE IS
LUXURY INSISTS
SUPT. W. H.LYNCH
Improvement Commissioner
Says Necessities" Should Be
Provided First

City Council. in special budget-mak-
ing session behind closed doors. this
evening. will likely attempt to lop the
$4,000 from the park estimate which
had been included to provide for a
municipal bathhouse and bathing
beach.
City Commissioner William H.
Lynch, superintendent of streets and
public improvements, who discussed
this possibility to-day. declared that
Councils first duty is to provide for
necessities"
Commissioner Lynch said the bath
mouse and bathing beach are lux
uries."
Gross To Ask Why
Whether or not the budget makers
would actually cut out the provision
which Park Commissioner Gross has
incorporated for the bathing facilities
in the Susquehanna Notwithstanding
the Widespread demand and general
belief OF Harrisburg's citizens that
Council would take steps to relieve
the situation during the coming year.
Mr.. Lynch said he cannot definitely
say. II the item is cut out, Mr. Gross
said, he purposes telling the public
why.
Il don't know what Council will do
about 1t, said Mr.. Lynch, but l don't
see how it can let this item in the
oudset; We haven't come to that
item. however. Wen have another
meeting tonight"
DO YOU not believe that the $4,000
as allowed for by Mr.. Gross should be
kept in the hudget?" he was asked.
Is Bath a Necessity?
Why. think we ought to take care
OF the necessities first
what would you call the bathhouse
and bathing beach facilities?"
LuNuries," said Mr.. Lynch. "Har-
rishurg has provided the best water
front along the Susquehanna. We've
given EN- dam. What more do they
WANT"
Doesn't Council mean to divert
some OF the surplus funds of the
Water Department to the general reve-
nues? If at least fifty thousand dollars
Is diverted in this way, won't that
allow Council to spend $1,000 for the
bathhouse?"
We might get some more money,
but there are too many other improve
ments that must be taken care OF. The
city is growing. More money will be
required for lighting, for street repair
ing. etc. There are lots of things that
must be taken care of"
Whose Business?
Why not make public some of the
things that are desired. some of the
tAAAASS mat Z USlIE considered bS-
hind closed doors?" a reporter asked.
Why not let the public know about
Your plans in an interview"
On Councils Record
What business is il of yours?" City
Commissioner Lynch heatedly re-
turned.
Incidentally. Mr.. Lynch forgot the
communication to Council of July II.
1916, from the Greater Harrisburg
Navy-the organization of the city's
several hundred canoeists. motor boat
men and other river enthusiasts-in
which II referred to the Importance of
providing municipal bathing beach and
penthouse facilities. Which Council
received and filed and spread on its
journal, by the way.
Who wants this -bathhouse and
bathing beach, anyway" demanded
Commissioner Lynch
What about the several thousand
people who put in considerable time
IN the river during last summer"
Who Wants lighthouses?
Well, who are they?" insisted the
superintendent of public improve
ments; name me some of them
If you had strolled along the river
front any time during the hot weather
OF last summer, Mr.. Lynch. you could
nave seen great many hundreds
yourself
Besides that" went on Mr.. Lynch.
what do we know about this bath
mouse: Have you got plans? Do you
know how much ii is going TO cost? ,"
Other Reasons
Then the fact that plans have not
been prepared for the proposed struc-
ture is the reason for not allowing an
item of $4,000 as requested by Com
missioner z. 4. Gross, superintendent
of parks, suggested the reporter. mot
that the establishment of such a build
ing would be 'luxury'?"
Yes. and 1 think it's a luxury. too"
retorted superintendent of Public I'M
provements Lynch.
Park Commissioner Gross said he
personally would insist on the reten-
tion of the $4,000 item.
When l prepared my budget" said
he. Il did so with the idea of paring
down all I could. 1 only Incorporated
what considered a real necessity:
among such items was the $4,000 for
the bathhouse. l believe the public
needs-certainly the public demands
II. And. If this demand of the public
IS not allowed by the other commits
sioners, then I think that the people
OF Harrisburg should know why"