Evening star., 1901-11-13
CHILDREN'S FAIRGROUNDS
MAI. SYLVESTER'S REPORT TO THE
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Why He Advocates Their Establish
ment-Under Proper Police Con-
trOl-In Other Cities.

In the development and beautifying OF
the national capital it is believed by many
people that the establishment Of public
play grounds for the children should be
given careful thought and consideration
and it is believed that a provision for such
tracts by Congress would not only rebound
to the credit Of that body, but work i'm
measurable good for the youth of the city
Major Richard Sylvester, the superintend-
ent OF police. is a strong advocate Of such
plan, and in report to the District Com
missioners he says:
1.-The many laws and regulations which
affect the occupancy of the streets and
reservations, the playing of ball, flying or
kites and assemblages -effectually dampen
the pastimes of the city children and tend
to install defiance into the more advanced
youth Boys driven from pillar to post in
seeking spots for recreation only find quiet
in the pool and card room, working a de-
generacy which is to be deplored. This de-
ing the small boys than all others put to-
gether. The citizen whose quiet is dis
turbed or window pane broken calls for the
police. The parent condemns the officer
and the complainant alike The member
of the force is directed to invoke parental
aid in the first instance and arrest in the
second.
Not Desirable to Arrest Children.
ut is not desirable that children should
be arrested, however, for minor offenses,
as the fright and humiliation incident
thereto only tend to harden If not perma-
nently mark the career of the young, per-
haps unintentional. violator. A boys hours
for nightly recreation should be limited and
his scope for daylight enjoyment enlarged.
For years the superintendent of this de-
partment has urged the establishment of
public Fairgrounds where the children and
persons unemployed during the daytime
may find a few hours recreation during
the warm weather. Fairgrounds should be
of such dimensions as to admit of the en-
joyment of the pastimes incident to the life
of a boy, all to be under proper police con-
troll. Fresh air agencies contribute to
health and manhood and while there are
numerous sources Of outings away from the
city, the young who must stay at home
during the torrid days have little oppor-
tunity for profitable employment and relief.
In other Cities.
I'm New York forty-two school play
grounds are open during the summer
twenty eight having library attachments.
Besides these there are roof gardens out
door gymnasiums and public baths. In
Brooklyn five Fairgrounds are maintained
on vacant lots. where swings. sand courts,
seesaws and kindred sources of amuse-
ment are offered. In Chicago free public
bathing beaches are conducted. Baltimore
allows the use of eight Fairgrounds Of the
public schools and four in the public parks.
Boston has numerous Fairgrounds and pub
lie baths.
Cincinnati has three public Fairgrounds,
with pavilions to protect those frequenting
them from the heat and rain, and they are
equipped with swings, merry -go-rounds and
other forms of amusement.
THE capital city has ample vacant
ground in and about it, but no appropria-
tion has been made to utilize it in behalf Of
the children who not only want the inn
provement, but who need it,