STREET SHOWER BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 18

STREET SHOWER BATHS.

TREAT FOR CHILDREN. PHILADELPHIA SCHEME. [FROM OUR OWN CORItESI'ONDENT.] ' j NEW YORK. July 5. During the present summer it is estimated tliafc n-qunrter of a million Philadolphin, children will have enjoyed reguthan a block or two from their own :homes, with the traffip blocked and every precaution taken for their safety. 'this unique project is only.two years old. It germinated in the mind of tho secretary of the Playground Association, .who i s known as tho "Shower Man," just Jis tho crippled Sydney soldier, when he returned, used to visit the children's hospitals, was known as tho "Story Man." 'lho young Pennsylvania!) saw children furtively loosen a (ire plug and disport themselves in the militant flood until a policeman hove in sight He immediately got permission from tho Water and Fire Departments to attach a shower spray to '■■■ a fiire plug here and thero on tho hot daysf for children to play "we're at tho seaside" during the long summer vacation. Then he purchased a travelling shower and 50ft. of hose and fitted them to a small lorry. 'On the first day, about 70 children u waited him. .Willing hands roped off the street, allowing only delivery drivers to pass. That was in 1928 Last year J30,000 children' went under the street showers in their bathing togs without a single mishap. 'llie showers are distributed to tenement blocks, social clubs and private individuals v.'ho signify their willingness to assume responsibility for the caro of tho children. When the heat wave came, tho Playground Association was "snowed under" by demands for more showers. They realised they had started something that yliad backfired and challenged them to finish it. They appealed to the public for funds, which were quickly forthcoming, as tho name of the donor of a Al3 shower is inscribed on it. Children save their dimes nntPnickels tc buy their own shower and it witli the name of their own paraajaft licjilar party. I vt. lo Board gavo the association clr r y i? uso as miU) y hydrants as Ihey Hi* tl Thero wero 300 in operation last ife'S thos© in the tenement quarter op. P known 11 ,° le - s daily The operators ~ known as knights of the bath. . m