Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/489

 MODEL PUBLIC BATH AT BROOK LINE 473

The building also contains a steam laundry for suits and towels, toilet-rooms, and every modern convenience, including a hair-drying room for women.

In the management of the institution those in charge have found, in two years' experience, that the fee system not only promotes self-respect, but also decorum and good order, and helps to make the bath self-supporting. The bathing charge, which includes provision of suit, soap, and towel, ranges from 5 cents during the day to 10, 15, and 2 5 cents in the evening. The fee for non-residents is 25 and 50 cents. About 46,000 baths were taken last year, at a net cost to the town for maintenance of §3,000, which will be greatly reduced this year. About 12,000 baths were free, for on two days in the week no charge is made. Most of the time the use of the natatorium is free to school chil- dren. It is an interesting fact that, though swimming instruc- tion is not absolutely compulsory, it is now a part of the regular school curriculum in Brookline, and the expense, S500, is defrayed from the school funds. Three experienced teachers of swimming are employed by the town, who use the Prussian method of pole and belt. During the past year 6,130 swimming baths, with or without instruction, were taken by pupils of the Brookline public schools. A large number of these were taught to swim, and it is expected that eventually most of the school children will learn to swim sufficiently well to save their own lives if in danger, and possibly those of others. The impulse given to the noble art of swimming extends beyond the immediate vicinity. A consider- able number of Wellesley college girls and of students from the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics patronize the Brookline natatorium. Two flourishing clubs, the Brookline Swimming Club and the Brookline High-School Swimming Association, are the immediate outcome of the building of the bath.

The rules and regulations issued by the management appear to be the embodiment of hygienic science and common-sense. Bathing suits of material without nap and of fast colors only are permitted. Persons who are in the least indisposed are denied the use of the bath. Every bather is given five minutes for a warm shower-bath with soap before entering the swimming tank.