LACK OF PUBLIC TOILET FACILITIES IN CITIES.

Abstract

The lack of public toilet facilities in American cities has frequently been commented on. Some cities have followed European precedent and established public comfort stations. A recent example is Detroit, which has established a $15,000 comfort station, which is deservedly popular, averaging over 2,000 users a day. In Chicago the provision is very inadequate, but the fact that investigation is beginning is promise of better things. A recent investigation¹by V. C. Hart, Jr., brought out the fact that the facilities which ought to be furnished by the city are provided by the saloons and the large office buildings. In the office buildings it is estimated that about one-third of the elevator service is occasioned by the use of the toilet rooms by outsiders. "Public buildings afford facilities of the most inadequate sort, miserably ventilated, meager in equipment and inconveniently located. Department stores, railroad stations, Y. M. C. A.