Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16
PUBLIC FAIRGROUNDS
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
Prof. Craig's Report Of His Observe
tions In Other Cities-Steps Taken
to Raise More Money.


children this city has done just as well as
New York and Boston in providing public
Fairgrounds, despite the fact that the
amount of money spent by the local COM
mittee Of the Associated Charities, COM
pared with that spent in these other
cities, is as thousands to millions. This
opinion was voiced by Prof. A. U. Craig,
chairman of the committee in charge of
the colored playground in the northwest,
who was sent to investigate methods in
vogue outside Of Washington. He said
the grounds in these cities are splendidly
equipped and located, but that enough at
tention is not paid to the young children.
and the elaborate apparatus in use pro-
vides no more real sport than the simple
kind on the local grounds.
Prof. Craig made his report to the pub
lie Fairgrounds committee at a regular
meeting yesterday afternoon in the head
quarters at 926 F street northwest. An
other thing that he learned while on his
trip through various northern cities was
that in order to locate public Fairgrounds
in the sections where they are most de-
sired it has been necessary to pay enor-
nous prices for lots, and in some cases to
tear down whole blocks of houses In
thickly populated districts. Therefore, he
strongly advises the citizens of Washing
ton to raise money and buy ground while
they may at low prices, and not wait un-
been covered with expensive buildings.
Steps to Raise More Money.
AS compared with New York and Bos-
ton. however, this city is spending such
small amount of money as to make Prof.
Craig almost ashamed to tell it when
questioned by the members of the COM
mittees in these cities. But the local COM
mittee is determined to renew it's appeals
To no
steps to raise more money and increase
local interest by ordering the appoint
ment of numerous subcommittee Tor spe-
cific purposes.
On motion of DR. Henry S. Curtis. it was
voted to form the following committees, the
chairmen to be appointed by Chairman
Cuno II. Rudolph of the general committee,
and the members to be selected by these
appointees:
A committee to wait upon the leading
clergymen of the city and enlist their SYM
pathy and help.
A press committee, to consist of one or
two editors and one or two others, whose
duty it shall be to keep the aims of the
Fairgrounds committee constantly before
the public as well as its needs; also 10
arouse interest and solicit funds.
park committee. to secure such parks
or parts of parks as are available for use
as public Fairgrounds during the summer,
and others that may be set aside perma-
nently for this purpose.
clubs of the city and solicit their aid in
raising funds. and in serving as umpires In
games. furnishing prizes for contests IN
athletics, etc.
citizens committee, to work among
citizens associations to secure their moran
and financial support
trade committee, to enlist the actiVe
interest of the trade unions, the members
give labor free of charge in the work, as
has been done by masonS and carpenters III
other localities.
special committee will meet Superin-
tendent A. I. Stewart of the local pupnc
schools tomorrow, and confer with MIN as
to the best methods of providing recreation
for the children of the city. 1t Is expected
that the public Fairgrounds committee wiz
benefit by the conference and the schoois
do the same.
Miss Elizabeth V. Brown reported to the
meeting that she expected to secure the
voluntary services of teachers ana oluef
pupils of the public schools IN the pay
ground work, and train them against the
possible time when the committee may be
able TO employ them as paid agents.
Fairgrounds in the Southeast.
Considerable regret was expressed that
the Fairgrounds in southeast Washington,
at the corner of Georgia. avenue and 10th
streets. should have been abandoned on &C
count of the attitude of certain persons in
this section and of the Pennsylvania rail-
road which has secured permission TO dump
earth on one corner of the lot. commit
tee was appointed to wait upon Col. Brom-
we'll of the War Department, and, II neces-
sary. upon Secretary Taft and request that
this permission be rescinded 1t is believed
that the department did not fully under
stand that the Fairgrounds committees
work was being seriously hampered when
il granted the railroads request
A strong effort is being made to secure
fitting grounds in Georgetown. Mrs. Ellen
Spencer Mussey and Mrs Giles S. Rafter re-
ported several lots that might be available,
but nothing definite was done in this re-
gard. Mrs. Mussey said that she had won
over Miss Wescott, principal of the West
ern High School. to an interest in the work
and had prevailed upon her to express a
desire that the committee make use of
part of the drill grounds in the rear Of the
school building. if arrangements could be
icg it's drills or otherwise interfere with
the regular school life.
A lot beside Christ Protestant Episcopal
Church, Georgetown, located at 32d and
South Streets below the canal, was pro-
posed and an effort will be made to gain
permission from the church authorities to
use it.
The members of the public Fairgrounds
committee present at yesterdays meeting
We're Cuno III. Rudolph, chairman; DR..
Henry S. Curtis. Charles F. Weller, Prof.
A. L. Craig, Rev F l. A. Bennett. H. F.
Lowe. DR.. George NJ. kober. Miss Elizabeth
Brown, Mrs. Sarah Collins Fernandis Mrs