New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-05
THEIR RECREATTON CLUBS
T5Oenty-one Centres ia COngested
Districts Open This Month.

Miss r e whitney. who has charge Of all OF the
recreation centres Of the city, has planned out with
her assistants a vigorous winter campaign. Inc
centres VIII open FOR the first time this fall on the
evening 81 September L. They now twenty-one
A. number and are located in the worst and most
thicky populated portions 81 the city Their oo-
5e-t is the raising 81 the social standing OF the
people among whom they are situated Any
changes in regard TO them viii be soon reported by
Miss Whitney 10 the Board Of Superintendents for
approval
The greet feature Of the centres is their club life
Bach centre has from twelve TO twenty clubs that
meet evenings throughout the weeks These have
. membership ~ from fifteen to twenty. Each has
e set ~ officers Of its own. lCyies its own dues.
makes ITS own rules and generally takes charge Of
fts business under the guidance OF club adviser,
who usually manages after the club once gets on
SIS feet keep well In the background The ses-
~ the clubs arc carried on according 10 par
lameutary law. The sessions are divided into two
rsrrs one for business and the other for literary
work The particular lines n work that the clubs
wish 90 take ND they submit 10 the adviser for ap
rrcval Biographical and historical studies are
especially popular while debating Is highly IN
fa,or especially in the mems clubs.
THEY INTEREST GRowNUPs.
The clubs attract the elder as well as the Younger
elements in She neiehborhoods Of the centres. They
are fitted for an. Men come 10 them to discuss
politics and the tired worki girls to hear one OF
fhetr number read a good up 10 date novel When
books and debate fail 10 amuse and interest. the
Members form themselves into circles and play
quiet games. such as chess checkers. authors. his
t0roal games. etc Those who cannot attend the
club meetings can al least send their children or
ltuo brothers and sisters and get books from the
library connected pith each centre. In providing
thc necessary books the NeW-York Public Library
has been os tho greatest service
Every month each club has oper meeting. 20
which the members invite all OF thei- friends and
ecQuautaroes. 90 be entertained and 20 partake OF
refreshments at the clubs expense. The pro-
crammes which arc furnished by the members
consist of music recitators debates and singing
orirIral'v there were only clubs for the women
and cirs. hlt be- brothers and husbands were so
delighted by the programmes thar they wished TO
have clubs also. The authorities were Only too
e. o. assist Tho movement
The work q the centres IS of two kinds literary
tse direction of Miss 2. %. L0Weustein. who is
ls in ne care of Miss N 81 Beattevs The social
clubs are also Fymnsstlc clubs
,-, 1f Nq f; m The gymuasia is divided into
r.a team So-k Or the various paraubernala. and
leieIhe, talla 81. t1' ordinary gymnasium consists
$500. ~ enc rlzontal bars. horses. bucks
afrs. dumbbells Indian clubs Wards rings and
s--s5- ' g.. rs wei as many ws machines. EN-
~ s. l.el, lolsil' Is encouraged as il has not
oip0 feeling f7r fear ~ the results
TO TNcREAsE STUDY ROOMS.
pr couple ~ fhe centres Miss Whitney estah-
hshe1 study rooms fo- tho-e who wished 10 study
Tor school mr. for examinations NJ any kind At
ihese rooms were KEEP p number OF good reference
.g.hs The plan VIII he tried 10 a greater extent
----t ,sos q the Younger people receive quite as
~. ...-ftlon ae those ~ r0eIr eliere The bows
~ 7arfr l.1rIv fond or debating Here are four
" lle t..e' rs that were debated on last winter by
s-nf u me Youngsters Resolved That = how
..' '-feer years Cf age gets better preparation
~ business az school than az business Re-
$3.50. mar republic is the best form ~ govern
-.t "a. resolved. That els nj YEAR course q
f---t should Do substituted FOR the seven year
to-rsr ir The lbic schools" and Resolved Tliat
aTacl should he annexed 10 the United Sf7-es
~ centres secrn 10 thrive best among tha Jews
aioe me East Side ~ Manhattan. Trey are Quick
tlo eager 20 learn and from eight hundred 10
lNeItC hHr1red ~ them. men. women and children
'f-F1 me centres every evening Awovz tho Tral-
ans along Tie West Side o. Manhattan lcss success
= ".iairec Thesa are rather sluggish and are
le.a less interested in their own social develop
mont Tire nightly attendance these districts
= Tz''.N ever s'-rQasses two hundred and fstv or
three hu-7raf ~
A. me dose 81 each year. on June Is there have
w eNs beer gratifying exhibitions given 10 the
l-lc oy The members OF the various clubs IN their
re ective centres.