By F. R. LAWLER.

N

EW YORK CITY, the leader of the world in practical building construction, as well as in nearly everything else, is so far in advance of other cities (particularly foreign ones) that we sometimes fail to see, right in our very midst and coming under our observation daily, conditions which, upon second inspection, we stop and wonder for a moment why we have not considered them before and given them special attention. Such conditions might do for other municipalities and be considered as luxuries, but to New Yorkers never, when cleanliness and sanitation are at stake.

We go ahead so rapidly that many matters are overlooked, but it is not very long before we see what and who is lagging, and we then give our undivided attention to the subject and pull it up to the main line ready for another start.

Toilet facilities are an absolute necessity; "we have to live with people to know them;" show us a bath or toilet room and we know them without any "prolongation."

A "clean" family takes as much pride in its toilet room as it does the living room or any other part of the house, and why should this idea not pertain to corporations, companies, etc., if they claim to be clean?

The New York Central Station, 42d St., and the Pennsylvania Station 32d St., are examples of the highest art in design, construction and sanitary science, and let us emphasize the last.

One only has to inspect the ample and exquisi'e toilet facilities, the cleanliness insisted upon, etc., to make it as attractive as possible to travelers-visitors also-to note their superiority, and then compare the sanitary conditions with those of almost any of our elevated or subway station toilets. There is as much difference as between celluloid and asbestos.

The "L" station toilets compare favorably with many "family" baths or toilets; in the Winter the "window sill" or "back yard" gardens are transplanted to the bathtub, and in the Summer it is used for the "family wash"-clothes-and is absolutely useless as far as the original intention was concerned.

But let's get down to our original intention-unsanitary toilets in elevated and subway railroad stations.

There are hundreds, yea, mayhaps, thousands of these toilets, positively unfit for usage, and the remainder out of commission or "closed for repairs."

As they stand to-day they are an abhorrence, stiffling and sickening to anyone with a semblance of what is clean. Even passengers, though many yards distant, are constantly annoyed while waiting for "their" train. Would they, for a minute, admit imaginary ownership of the station

toilet by using the possessive pronoun? We know the answer.

The immediate attention of the authorities, responsible for this part of the equipment of a station, should be drawn to this most unsanitary condition.

In the first place, the entrance to these disgusting and farcical toilets opens directly (in the majority of cases) upon the waiting platform, and every time the door is opened the interior is in full view. If you casually notice this part of the station, 99 out of 100 people move in the opposite direction, as though trying to get as far away as possible from some ferocious beast, but if we concentrate for a moment it is worse than that.

What untold contagion has emanated from this source will never be determined, but that it is a breeding place for germs and microbes is plainly evident from the condition they are found in at almost any time.

You will discover the ancient wide wooden closet seats, about the cheapest and supposedly obsolete bowls, wooden floors, dur any kid of a receptacle that will substate for sound, substantial, sanitary and moderately priced plumbing fixtures for this class of work.

Nearly all the manufacturers in the plumbing helize in this kind of fixture, as well åš'any other kind, in fact. The plumber of to-day can give his customer anything and at a reasonable figure.

One excuse for the poor maintenance of these toilets is, undoubtedly, rowdyism the class of people who patronize them and the stealing of anything that a jimmy could loosen. The company, though not, should be ashamed of itself to take advantage of this excuse. It is merely another subterfuge to bunco the public.

Plumbing fixtures and fittings are so substantially constructed to-day and the general public so well protected by its law guardians, that the owners of the railroad should be compelled to immediately remove the objectionable parts and introduce new and up-to-date sanitary features.

When the motive power for trains was changed from the old soft coal-burning steam engine to electricity we got well rid of one damaging nuisance. Since that time sanitation has made much advancement that we ought to get rid of the other. To-day we have not sufficient train service for the use of the public, but sufficient toilets disused by the public. The fault is there, and we have the remedy if it can be administered.

The subway toilet facilities are just about the same and in some cases worse, though they are elaborately tiled and are rather pleasing viewed from a distance.

Nearly all these latter are closed tight and are useless as though none were there.

Their location can be easily traced in most stations by the tiny rivulets increasing to stagnant ponds, where only germs could exist.

Perhaps the excuse for these is their location so far below grade and main sewer in many cases, but the toilet is there, so why not fit it for decent usage?

There are dozens of good and reasonably purchased sewage lifts and ejectors which fit in here to a nicety. Why not use them? And if any are installed turn the current on, that's gratis for a certainty.

We should investigate and get at the foundation of the reason for this negligence, and give the public a little comfort if they can't get it in the trams except on some holiday, when most New Yorkers are on an out-of-town visit.

If the company can't provide a half dozen fixtures (for both sexes) in each station, have what is really required, and in every other station, or further apart for that matter, install ample toilet facilities that one would be proud to visit, and keep them in a cleanly condition.

There is always-as a general rule-a porter employed at every station, and when he is not raising dust with his broom let him take an interest in the toilet room, and it won't be long before he will constantly keep it under observation, so that it will get proper usage.

Plate one is a suggestion of a toilet room constructed in connection with the station. In the upper right-hand corner is a plan showing two water closets, two urinals and a lavatory or basin in the public toilet. Immediately adjoining is the porter's room, provided with a slop sink (which should be installed in every one), next to this is the main waiting room.

Access to toilet is from station platform only for the passengers, but the porter has access from the waiting room as well.

The floor and walls to a height of five feet are tiled, on concrete bedding, insuring a watertight and sanitary floor and wall. The urinals are of the stall type, integral, the best to use here.

Directly below the plan we indicate the elevated structure and section of street below. To the right is a sectional elevation of some of the piping work, draining and venting the fixtures.

It would be advisable to use steel pipe, threaded connections, except the five-foot length extending up from sidewalk grade line, which is cast iron, as the constant vibration or swaying of the structure would tend to loosen the joints were they caulked.

Instead of the usual return bend for fresh air inlet which would have to be located on platform, we extend the fresh air inlet up through roof as indicated (plate 1), though not extending as high

as soil line, thereby keeping up a circulation.

The same arrangement of piping, house drain, house trap, leader trap, etc., used n all buildings is applied here, but the pipe space might be enclosed, leaving available space, however, to inspect and repair pipe when necessary. This enclosure would also help keep out the cold in Winter; or we could introduce warm air from the waiting room, drawn in and forced out by a motor fan, as electricity is always available.

This electrical power could be put to good use in Summer by ventilating fans, located in the toilets, and in Winter electric heaters.

The soil line running down from structure along side of steel column or pillar is encased with felt or similar material, a necessary requisite in Winter.

Plate 2 is another plan, showing toilets for both ladies and gentlemen, the porter's room separating the toilets.

This would be a typical plan where stations "accommodate" heavy traffic, say, in the shopping district or neighborhoods frequented by ladies. Men's entrance is from platform only and ladies' from platform and general waiting room.

The ladies' toilet is also provided with retiring room, a few chairs, etc. A woman attendant might be employed here, even at a small wage, and by strict attention, cleanliness, etc., could largely increase her

income, "considerations" from the better class of shoppers, who are frequently required on leaving trains to rearrange their gowns, hats and coiffures disarranged by the crowded cars.

'T

Let's hope that the New Year will bring us the desired change, which is for the betterment of the millions who give their little mite each working day to carry them to and fro in their daily grind.

AWAS the night before Christmas, and all
through the flat,

Every creature was dancing, excepting the cat,
The phonograph's cheerful, industrious bray
Untiringly sounded as time wore away.
The stockings and shoes had been chosen with care
Befitting the smartness of such an affair.
The children, who should have been snugly in bed,
Were having their Castle-Walk practise instead,
And Mamma in her slippers and I in my pumps
Were doing the Maxixe in synchronous jumps,
When up in the air there arose such a humming,
I ran to the window to see what was coming;
And what should I view, as I opened the pane,
But good old St. Nick, in a swagger biplane!
It bumped on the roof after circling around,
And soon down the airshaft he came with a bound.
I peeped, as he opened his pack in the hall-
A difficult task, for the passage was small-
And heard him remark, "It seems awfully queer

To carry no budget from Europe this year!

But though war has bereft me of trinkets and toys,
I'm amply provided with holiday toys."

His gifts looked alike, as to wrapping and style,
And he mused as he quickly selected a pile;
"A Lame Duck for Grandpa; the Boston for Dad;
For Mother, the disc with the Argentine Fad.
For Gladys, the Dip she interprets with skill,
And here's a new Half-and-Half record for Bill.
Sue likes Hesitation-a finished side-stepper;
Tom clings to the Tango, with plenty of pepper.
The Kitchensink Rag I'll apportion to Bridget;
The One-step for Minnie-the spry little midget!
As stockings from chimneys are pendent no more,
I'll lay 'em all carefully here by the door!"
Then, placing his goggles astride of his nose,
And adjusting his cap, up the airshaft he rose,
With a satisfied grin, as he passed out of sight,
Saying, "On with the dance! Merry Christmas-
Good night!"

PLATE 2.