The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-12
UNION FOR PRACTICAL PROGRESS
Voted to Continue the Summer Play
Grounds.

Inc regular meeting OF the Union Tor
Practical Progress was held in Lyceum
evening, but the attendance was poor,
only q persons being present. In the abb
sence of Rev. FLOYD w. Tomkins, Jr.,
who is conducting meetings in Norwich,
Conn, Rev. Napoleon Hoagland presided.
The first business was the reports OF
committees, few OF which had any re-
port TO make. The committee on public
means reported that the lecture TO be
given on "Good Government Clubs by
Hon. Moorfield Story of Boston, would
probably be given in Sayles Memorial
Hall next Friday evening.
The question OF action on the saloon
topics which were discussed at the last
meeting came up. 1t was understood
that the coffee house question had been
provided for by the appointment Of the
following committees: Daniel A. Cook,
Charles +. Carpenter ana A.. Is. McCrillis
for the Union; Edna Il. Hale for the Y.
w. G. T.U., and others to be appointed
by the other temperance societies. On
motion OF Sidney A. Sherman il was
voted to instruct this committee TO TAX
in hand the other four topics-the screens
in saloons, shorter hours for opening Sd
looms, closing them on holidays ana pro-
hibiting their location near schoolhouses.
AZ there was no new business, the
special order OF the evening was taken up
the report of the joint committee of the
Union and the Providence Free Kinder
garten Association on summer play
grounds. Ii was a long report and was
read by DIR. Helen Z. Putnam the secre-
tary, who previously announced that all
interested could find the reports at 20
Market square,, or at SO Weybosset street
street, room II.
The report deals with the inception OF
the idea and states that the committee
could report such success as promises
we'll for the continuance of the effort. Ii
refers 70 the various Fairgrounds and
the length Of the time they were open
and states that the only damage TO prop
erty beyond ordinary wear was the break
ing of three panes of glass at Ring street.
The treasurcr's statement Is as follows:
Balance from last year. sf9; collections
this summer, S974.S5; salaries, teachers,
supplies, ESP. rs; general expense, printing,
carting, ETC., s63.02; cash to balance,
S52. 6S.
In conclusion the committee recon-
mended the continuance OF the play
ground next summer earlier action for
the subject on the part OF the Union
for Practical Progress and attention to
the permanent provision OF suits bic
Fairgrounds either by private subscrip-
ton or public funds, IN quarters OF tho
city where most needed.
Mr.. Amasa NJ. Eaton, who wished there
were ~, OvU TcpOTtt, lnstehu Ol lUOU,
thought they should be sent to every
memp Der OF the city government, TO each
subscriber to the Union and to the men,
bers of the school committee. IL was so
voted.
Mr.. Sherman then read an interesting
paper, speaking a good word for breath
ing places, and said Charles street would
be none too wide at so feet. He thought
about 60 small parks were needed in Prov
idencc.
Rev. Anna .Garlin Spencer made an
earnest appeal for the play grounds. She
spoke OF throe sets OF agencies 10 meet
the needs for better opportunities for
children In cities. The country week,
she thought, was fine, giving the little
ones a real taste of real country. Vaca-
ton trips, IL OF only,a bali day or a day,
are akin TO the country week. Vacation
schools are desirable, where the children
may have more nature study. Take the
children out to study botany, Rhode Island
history and geography. Nothing elabo-
rate Is necessary, but something artistic,
with more OF the creative instinct. Mrs.
Spencer spoke highly OF the public schools
and kindereartons. In concluding, she
said OF course small parks are desirable,
but school yards will do.
IL was voted that the playground COM
mittee consider the third recon ,nendation
in conjunction with committees already
at work on tie various parks IN city
and that n committee DO appointed by
the president TO act for the coming year.
Ii was announced that the next meet
ing will take place in Grace Church, De-
cember q.