New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-15
PROBLEM PLAYS FOR GIRLS.
Mothers Club DeplOres Their Effect on the
Latter

What benefit does a little girl of thirteen or
fourteen get out Of modern problem playsT' in
CURED Mrs. Harry Hastings yesterday, in the
course Of talk before the Mothers Club. of which
she is president City ChiIdren's Amusements''
/ viii not into the question of the moral effect
OF such plays on the adults for whom they were
written" continued Mrs. Hastings but I do criti-
else the fact that parents their children
spend three hours OF what is practically their only
free day in overheated. III ventilated theatre
know parents who let their children 90 every
Saturday afternoon to one theatre or another.
suppose they say to themselves that the children
are safe for a few hours at least but what per.
nanent value do the children get out of it?
Then there parties. Parties are a time
honored institution Of childhood. but they
longer the simple affairs of the past. When a girl
or fourteen goes to party nowadays the enter
h1ent has the same character of display and luxuri
Gus provision a debutante's reception or tea.
I remember when a series OF dinner parties was
given for children year or TWO ago CThe Mothers
Club gasped) The original dinner was given for
the birthday party Of a child and during that
season it was repeated twenty times by other
parents. each anxious to rival the others There
was a complete disregard OF the capabilities of n
child's stomach. and most of the children were sick
afterward
As mothers we should take a position this
question If asked to participate in what
We know is going 10 be conducted on this ostenta-
uous and luxurious scale let decline to have
part parcel in il. Let US return simpler ways
especially with regard to the entertainments Of our
children"
But Mrs. Hastings did not confine her remarks
10 criticising the foIies of parents. Approaching
her subject from the affirmative point of view, she
pleaded earnestly for the establishment of play
grounds all the city not alone for those chill
tude on the part Of others At her suggestion, the
club empowered her TO appoint committee TO
draw up resolution pettioning the incoming ad-
minstraton to establish such Fairgrounds:
Every one admits that open air life is the one
nature intended children should have" said Mrs
Hastings, and that social play-not SOLITARY play
or playing with another child-is essential. In any
other cities than New-York and Brooklyn children
can play on the sidewalk with irpunity. but here
they cannot play on the sidewalk without being con-
unually tempted into the street and If they leave
the cUTostone they are IN imminent danger or their
wagons, nine times out Of ten in the hands Of boys
who are in no position to save child. On the
mobiles, and If there are no automobiles there are
heavv dTays
Backwards have been vetoed by physicians
Only children o. quite unnatural state of Obedi-
ence be trusted to play around the front door
in safety. The consequence is our girls must walk
up and down the streets, instead Of jumping rope
tag or hide-and-seek they have to go off to park
to do it.
Wilcox for all that he has done on the Eas tSide
mothers should cooperate to ask the incOm-
over the city for our children. Let the attendants
be appointed from the Civil Service, and be
amined in kindergarten games and gymnastics for
the girls and physical culture for the boys
The Chair appointed Mrs. AlnOn HenSley, Mrs
K A Beheolct ana MIS- herman boIte d commit
tee 70 present the matter OF the Fairgrounds TO the
precipitated a brief discussion over the trade
The executive board of the State federation is
days in investigating conditions there aren't the
proposed school The name Jenny June Memorlal
Trade School has been suggested for the future in
sCtutiOn.