New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-03
A COMPLICATED QUESTION.
Alexander L. Ketchum said:

Alexander L. Ketchum said:
The longer recess question is a complicated one
The schools have for many years adhered 10
the present recess that 1t is fair to presume II
should not be extended unless the reasons therei9r
are convincing. II rule for recess Is 10 be mace
universal we must b. guided by that when VIII
offer the greatest good 10 the greatest huniO1r
make the longer desirable while Others would
may be made among the schools, eacn case could
receive individual treatment and In measure mat,
tiers would thus be simphed. In our most favored
IocaI.ties the character % The scholars and that
OF their home surroundings would make the longer
recess perhaps, attractive. but IN other neishooT-
hoods for example. the tenement-house districts. II
would probably be quite the reverse. IN tne I,Irg
10 lock the school doors against the hurredly re
turning children and bar them cut unth NE a. al,
them into the school before the regular eX rciss an
doubtless result in condition OF affairs somewhat
chaotic. - u.,or.,, an
posed to the longer recess They are certainly en-
Tiled TO our highest respect. and may be ab.e 10
fnnsh m nc son i5 VI" Of Re problem involved
may that before satisfactory conclusion osn
be reeded to ascertain the feeling OF the parents
Of the children as well as the opinion oil the 'e@c"-
ers.
Charles C. Wehrum. who has had experience In
the public schools pupil and as a member OF
the Board said: My experience in our pupEc
schools extending period OF forty,hree years
offc,al connection with them during the last four
years. cOnvinces me that the present hours are 'e
best that can be named.
commissioner Charles Buli;ley Hubbell. being
asked for an expression Of his views as to the
wisdom of extending the recess hour. said;
The question of longer recess must be decided
solely IA It's relation to the interests OF the children
II an extension of the recess hour would conir:phte
TO the health Of the greatest number OF children IN
our system. IL Is obviously the duty OF the school
authorities 20 lengihen the time II Is qussti.1H
OF The greatest good TO the greatest number OF chi
vision is ample for the great majority of the chill
dren The object Of recess Is, first, to make a
enable the children to take some nourshment Ia as
Orderly and deliberate way as possible; MIRO, ~
the restoration OF absolutely pure air. The enid,
from its standpoint is largely concerned with the
pe tne % provided for recess may be. great
majority Of children. even win me restraiihe N
homes take not than fifteen minutes for
imrnheon. and where they carry their luncheon 10
he ssbools am inclined 10 think that ten minutes
Is considered by them quite ample In whicn TO dis-
pose Of the MONDAY ieas'
NOT DESIRABLE FOR THE CHILDREN.
II this period of MONDAY recreation Is heightened
the extra time would have to be added TO the after
noon sessioi This TO me undesirable. for the
reason that parts Of the city distances are
long and II Is not desirable to have the children on
the streets after dark Another reason. and to my
mind the most important one. as cutting any figure
in this discussion. is that II is desirable that the
children should make the journey between home
and schoo. as infrequently possible. where they
are obliged to cross surface tracks and crowded
thoroughfares the peril OF such travel should be
kept at the minimum and the lengthenlng of the
recess hour would probably send thousands o. them
10 their homes for luncheon who now carry II with
them 10 the schools
In addition T. these reasons OF course many OF
the teachers would be kept away from their homes
until ate the afternoon. and with the duties that
many OF them have TO perform a; the end OF the
regular school day. their abors would be rendered
more burdensOme
/ frankly confess have given sufficient
thought 10 this matter 10 make my opinion OF any
great value. but for the reasons stated am ~
clined to feel II would be unwise to change the eN-
listing arrangement 1t least until some stronger