Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06

youthful games and exercise for the most
part in the public streets and alleys. !,
During the first year Of the movement
two lots were secured for Fairgrounds, In
addition to the backyard Of Neighborhood
| House. A fund was started for the work.
and in 1908 the sum OF $66SB2 was con-
| tributed for the extension OF the project.
| During the past year the receipts for the
/ extension Of the movement were xl.SO6O9.
During the past simmer there were eleven
public Fairgrounds in operation In the city.
and with the limited amount available the
vacant plots were equipped with apparatus
suitable for the boys and girls who nocked
| to the grounds.
Appropriations Requested.
The Commissioners, in their estimates for
| the next fiscal year, have asked Congress
| for an appropriation of $1,000 for the estab-
| lishment of additional public Fairgrounds
and to assist In the maintenance of those
already established by private enterprise.
| In addition to this the board of education.
in its estimates for the next fiscal year has
asked for 81 500 with which to equip school
Fairgrounds, which are to be used In the
summer time as public recreation grounds
for the army of children In the city.
The Commissioners have further inter-
ested themselves in the playground move
ment by urging upon Congress, In their eSti-
mates, the necessity of providing additional
ground adjacent to the various school
buildings to be used as Fairgrounds for the
| "
President Roosevelt's vigorous presentation
of the subject In his message will exert an
influence that has been greatly needed in
the past.
The Whipping Post.
The whipping post for wife heaters has
been suggested In Washington at frequent
intervals during the past In October. 1895.
sixteen members of the grand jury laid be-
fore the court, Justice Andrew Bradley, an
ton for fha al of
the whipping post. The Star printed in
terviews and letters on the subject. giving
the views of the people so far as they could
be ascertained and the topic was debated
in public and private and in the pulpit for
some weeks. The dominant opinion. at the
conclusion of the discussion, appeared to
be that the particular offense was not COM
mon enough to warrant revival of vir-
tually obsolete form of punishment, and the
belief was expressed that reform could be
more surely and better attained by other
means Shortly after Major Richard Syl-
vester became chief of the metropolitan
police force, about FIVE years ago. he urged
in his annual report to the District Commits
sioners the necessity of providing more
adequate punishment than was then proyid-
ed for those convicted of the brutal crime of
beating their wives. The mere fine and i'm
prisonment, by which, under existing laws,
such offenses against the laws and against
common decency were punished. was de-
clared to be wholly unequal to the enormty
of the offense, and it was argued that the
punishment inflicted not infrequently ut
terly failed of its purpose.
The subject was again taken up by the
people. and many lawyers officials and
prominent residents of Washington express
ed their views, but no action was taken.
there appearing no general sentiment in
favor of the revival of the post.
Judicial Opinions.
Both the judges of the Police Court as
well a number of the justices of the
peace who have sat the bench during
the absence of the regular judges. have fire.
quently declared from the bench that the
whipping post would be the proper punish
ment for wife beaters. but the matter has
never been brought to the attention OF TIE
lawma kers in the form of an amendment TO
the existing laws.