Evening star., 1925-10-25

facilities. but some years ago the con-
ditions were much worse. Henry
Waters, a philanthropist, donated a
large sum of money and established a
free public bath commission, which
provided baths in brick buildings
throughout the city. They provided
showers and a place for women to
do their family washing and drying,
as hot and cold water was provided.
They were extensively patronlZed.
This bath commission later found
some land on the Patapsco River.
which was loaned by the owners, and
Later when the owners required this
land and the beach had to be
abandoned the bath commission asked
the park board for permission to re-
model the lake III Patterson Park for
bathing place. Some grading was
done, sand provided for a beach, and
q bath house built in 1915. The pool
was in charge Of the bath commission.
The park commission merely pro-
vided the place and forgot it. There
was such a demand on this pool i'm
mediately that the bath commission
sought the lowlands in Clifton Park.
These were furnished. and concrete
pool provided by the bath commission.
About this time there was change in
the personnel of the park board, which
decided to take over and operate the
pools, relieving the bath commission.
Car Fares Cover Cost.
All of the funds used in the estab-
Iishment OF parks and for the bathin
facilities after they were taken over
by the park commission We're pro-
yided by street car riders. In 1860,
Dol
street railways permission to lay
tracks in the Baltimore streets unless
they paid for it. There was some
doubt as to whether this would pay.
when the idea was conceived that If
a large number of people could be
transported to places outlying the
city it might pay. Druid Hill
Park was established at that time,
the money was advanced by the
the stipulation in the franchise that
25 per cent of the gross receipts were
TO be turned over to the city for park
purposes. Later this was reduced by
the Legislature to 20 per cent of the
gross receipts and still later to the
present figure of per cent. IN the
first year the fund was $330,000 but
two years later it had increased to
81 $50, 600 year and mas remained
at thdt ngure since.
But the park board now needs
more money and contemplates some
help from the city revenues. The
board has employed city and park
planners to study the matter of eS-
tablishing new parks in areas not yet
developed. and this report will be in
by January l next.
1t is expected that the recon-.
mendationS will involve an outlay of
$3,000,000 or S4,000,000 for lands
This, it Is pointed out, will necessitate
the floating of loan, and the money
from the city will be used in paying
for this loan. All during the years
that the revenues have come from
the railways the board has consist
emily set aside Is per cent each year
for the requirement Of new lands.
Look Far into Future.
1t is the purpose to look a hundred
years ahead in this survey and pur
chase the lands while they are cheap
Delayed purchases have been costly
and sometimes prohibitive.
After the park board took over the
Patterson Park Pool it established a
pool at Gywnns Falls, in the south
western section of the city. Here are
| two rectangular concrete basins, 81
| by rs feet. At the Clifton Park poo
| there is more water area than is
| needed for the locker space avail
| able, and one-third of this pool Is
| roped off. This also helps to cut
| down the life-guard expense.
The board pays the Playground
Athletic League of Baltimore $55, ,00t
| year to supervise play in the parks
| and, in addition, employs expert swim