The Washington times., 1902-09-15

cause. Not long ago the COMMISSIONERS
received a letter from three boys in the
northwest section. setting forth in terse
childish expression the fact that the
average boy of twelve to fourteen years
old has no good chance to nlay as a
boy should
New Big Problem.
This communication set forth the fact
that on the street where the boys lived
the children were constantly watched
by the police at the instigation of three
aged maiden ladies, whose nerves the
boys thought were supersensitive. The
boys complained that their actions were
much hampered from this cause, and
then told the Commissioners that some
thing ought 10 be done to allow the in
stinct for play in the young free scope.
These communications indicate that
the play of the children in Washington
is a problem that is yet very far from
solution. The street has been proved
very poor playground by the experience
of every parent in the National Capital
The congregation of boys of all classes
for games of ball on vacant lots far
from their homes and under no suitable
restraint is perhaps worse.
The morals of the children suffer al
ways under the present conditions, and
such efforts as have been made in the
past TO provide play room for the chill
dren aside from the establishment of
public parks of large acreage. have not
been attended with substantial success.
The failure in the establishment of
public Fairgrounds. if it should be CALL
ed such, undoubtedly lies in the fact
that the question has not been ap-
preached with the same zeal and deter
mination that have characterized the
solution of other city problems. That
is to say, there has not been the neces.
sary money spent and the necessary
time given to the subject to insure sat
isfactory results. The city school sys-
tenn has been worked out everywhere
in a manner TO show that when the need
OF public education, or mental training,
is felt. it is successfully met.
The necessity for community play has
not been universally recognized, and for
that reason the means for its proper
exercise have not as yet been provided
There are many. however. who have
given the subject attention, and public
opinion is being gradually formed which
will, in the near future probably de-
mand facilities for rational play as it
now does consistent and efficient MIND
training.
Favors Fairgrounds.
Major Sylvester, Superintendent Of |
Police. has given the subject much at
tention. Himself a parent. and con-
stantly coming in contact with the vi |
cious results of the present practice OF
allowing children to run at large in the !
streets, he has long urged upon the |
District Commissioners and upon Con-
gress some action which will give the |
city the much needed public play
grounds. In his last annual report. |
Major Sylvester spoke strongly on this |
subject, as follows:
THE many laws anS regulations which |
affect the occupancy of the streets and |
reservations, the playing of ball, fiyina |
of kites, and similar games, effec;ually |
dampen the pastimes of the city child |
rem and tend TO install defiance into |
the more advanced youth. Boys driven |
from pillar 10 post in seeking spots for
recreation only find quiet in the pool
and card room working u degeneracy |
which is TO be deplored. This depart
meDt receives more complaints regard |
ing the small boys than all others put
together. The citizen whose quiet IL
disturbed 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
1T is not desirable thar children
should be arrested, however, for mino,
sfn f,f. 4
incident thereto only tend TO harden if
,ot permanently mark the career of the
young. perhaps unintentional, violator.
A boys hours FOR nightly recreation
should be limited and his scope for
daylight enjoyment enlarged.
Fresh Air Agencies.
For years the superintendent of this
department. has urged the establishment
u public Fairgrounds where The chill
iren and persons unemployed during
he daytime may find few hours rec
cation during the warm weather. Play !
grounds should be OF such dimensions
Is TO admit of the enjoyment of the
III TO be under proper police control
fresh air agencies contribute 10 health
Ind manhood, and while there are nu-
nerous sources of outings away from
he city. the young who must stay at
lone during the torrid days have little
opportunity for profitable employment
nd relief"
Major Sylvester, in the same and
'ther reports. advocates the establish
rent Of bathing beaches, gymnasiums,
ublic Fairgrounds. payilions rooted
yer and provided with swings and
,erry go rounds. In short he advocates
Iany kinds OF simple amusements all
ipder municipal control and watched
yer by the police to give harmless vent
, the spirit OF play found in every
bid.