The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11

attending school, ana tnef0 may o DoAH1
Of the older ones attending technical
schools; but most Of those here work In
some way or other.
There may be among them some cash
girls; there are more who are employed
in dressmaking or millinery establish-
ments, or who work. maybe, in feather fac
tories; or they may be typewriters or stem
ographers. They all do something.
As in the boys evening recreation centres.
30 in the girls. they must be at least IA to
attend: they may be Of any age beyond
that. The girls that come are mostly be-
tween IA and 20; they would average prob
ably around 10 or II.
On this same rainy evening that the boys
were seen there were found at this evening
recreation centre $50 or more girls, strik-
ingly alert, keen, intelligent company.
II would be difficult to match them for
these qualities in company Of girls OF
equal number Of any other nationality
Unlike some Of the toysto be found at even
ing recreation centres, with respect to
dress, the girls, without exception, come
trinity dressed. They wouldn't dream of
coming In the garments they worked In.
and they make most varied. interesting
and attractive company.
The arrangements at the evening recre-
alton centres for girls are substantially
the same as at those for boys. At this
evening recreation centre for girls In At
torney street there are ten girls clubs
literary, debating snd athletic. Tho girls
take athletic exercises in classes, with an
instructor They have a variety OF games
to select from and facilities to play them;
they have library to choose books from.
and they have their literary clubs, with the
reading and criticism Of books and various
other literary exercises, and at tho end Of
the evening they have dancing.
The first evening recreation centres to be
established under the auspices Of the Board
Of Education were started In 1890, in which
year five were opened in schools on the
lower East Side. These were originally
Fairgrounds, for recreation pure and ample.
The attendance was good and the result
encouraging, and in 1900 ten evening recrea-
ton centres were opened. with gymnasium
facilities and reading rooms added.
The number Of these centres has since
been increased until in the present year
they have come to number twenty-five,
including eighteen in Manhattan and four
in Brooklyn. They are under the direction
of Miss Evangeline E. Whitney. who has
charge as well Of all the citys vacation
schools and summer Fairgrounds. The
evening recreation centres open on Sept.
Is and close ON June is
Most OF these evening centres are In
crowded districts Of the city, those In Man
haitian being chiefly on the East Side. Some
are for boys, some for girls; there is one
that is mixed.
AS to the subjects chosen for consldera-
tion by the literary and debating clubs, q
girls club Of older girls might choose for
study the lives Of some group Of famous
women, or perhaps some good current
novel, or one Of Shakespeare plays or a
scene from Sir Walter Scott, the subject
thus chosen and studied being discussed
at the clubs next meeting. But whatever
the subject, they would be more likely to
choose one of substance and importance
than one OF light character
The boys debating clubs may choose
their own topics for debate, subject to the
decision OF the club adviser. They discuss
all manner of topics, including some Of q
local Character and some In which they
may for some special reason be particularly
interested. At one meeting Of . debating
club established in an evening recreation
centre in a neighborhood largely Hebrew
this question was discussed:
Resolved. That the pedlers Of Hester
street should not be removed to tho new
East River bridge
At meeting Of debating club In REQ
reation centre situated in a neighborhood
largely Italian there was debated this ques-
ton:
RESOLVED. That the music Of the hand or gan
Is beneficial to the public.
But the boys are far more likely to debate
questions of serious general importance.
In some Of the evening recreation centres
lectures are delivered once or twice weekly.
At three of the centres there are taught this
year basket making, Venetian iron work
and carpentry, as these occupations were
taught in the vacation summer schools.
The attendance at these evening recrea-
ton centres is large and constantly in
creasing. Those attending are intelligent
and eager to improve, and they take an
interest in what they do; and all, besides
the enjoyment they get at these centres,
find many things that are useful to them.
And so from being mere Fairgrounds the
public school evening recreation centres
have come to be places Of educative in
f1uence, places not only attractive. but
helpful as well.