The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-11
FAIRGROUNDS WERE
GREAT SUCCESS
Promoters Pleased With
Result of the Season.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
Congress Will Be Asked to Help in Sc
curing Additional Reservation
for Children.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR

The success of the Fairgrounds this
season has far surpassed our expecta-
tons" said Cuno II. Rudolph. chair
man OF the Fairgrounds committee. this
morning. This was due" continued
Mr.. Rudolph. Ito the generosity of the
citizens Of Washington. the appropria-
ton we received from Congress. and
an executive who was perfectly familiar
with the work
Two years ago we started with six
grounds and $500 to carry on the work
Before the season was half over letters
were received almost daily asking for
the establishment of reservations IN
parts of the city where there were
none. Last year we had eleven places
and a little more money, but still the
requests for more grounds were coming
in.
Must Branch Out.
This season we established nineteen
grounds. and L am still receiving re-
quests from people almost begging for
a ground in their locality. 1t is i'm
perative that we branch out consider
ably next year, and to obtain this end
the committee will be on the alert all
winter
Another thing. which has aided the
work to a great extent mas been the
hA6A VI lntttilRtnCe among
the directors in charge. We were
Very successful In securing men and
women who were especially adapted
for the work, and the Improvement
from the childs standpoint. is ample
proof of the influence they have
welded in bringing about good re-
suits:
an appropriation of $4,000 this sea-
SON All of the Western Senators and
Representatives have been requested
N On a nd Inc Aof rha
model grounds of that city. Most of
them, whom we have heard FROM have
signified their intention of visiting the
reservations. and L think that it will do
much to aid our cause. An appeal
wiz be made to some Of the wealthy
residents Of the city to buy sections
grounds would be named after the
donors. If they SO desired. and would
serve as a memorial to the contributor
Tor years to come.
DR.. Curtis Departs.
DR.. Henry S. Curtis. supervisor of
Fairgrounds, left for New York city
yesterday morning TO resume his duties
as teacher in one of the public schools
DIR. Curtis also expressed himself as
more than gratiied with this years re-
suits. and is very enthusiastic about
starting the movement on a much larger
scale next spring II is his desire to
purchase one or two of the grounds
now being used. outright and equip
them in thoroughly up-to-date man
ner. with shower baths, gg.iIiasiiIIIls,
and other modern provisions.
Charles F. Weller. who is known as
the father of the playground move
ment." says he thinks that from the
progress made this year the citizens OF
Washington will respond heartily 10 the
cause next season, and that whereas
the committee will not have sufficient
funds 70 carry out as extensive plans
as they would like to, enough money
will be raised to go into the work on u
much larger scale. and that several new
grounds Will be acquired.
Instructor Wefers' Work.
Probably the person who has labored
hardest with the children, and had more
uphill work to contend with In the be-
ginning of the season is Bernard ].
WefeTs. athletic instructor of all the
grounds. When he took charge in the
spring he found an aggregation OF
youngsters. who had not the slightest
ides, of organized athletics. 1t was the
greatest mystery TO them why they
should be asked to train systematically
for running races. jumping. and other
sports. He soon had them in hand,
however, with beneficial results.
When the Anal meet was run off last
Saturday the teams representing the diff
ferent grounds were as fine collection
OF young athletes as anyone could wish
TO see. All the reservations have uni
formed baseball teams. The records
made in some OF the events were almost
remarkable. and the enthusiasm apd In
tertAt displayed IN all the sports Vas
fitting testimonial TO Mr. Wefers' efforts
DrA Curtis. in speaking of the games.
said: IF any of these boys go to col
lege when they grow up they will take
SOME mighty good athletic material with
them.
Commissioner West who presented the
medals at the meet was greatly pleas
ed with the performances OF the little
fellows. Commissioner Biddle was also
present. besides several members of the
Fairgrounds committee and all of them
watched with keen interest the various