Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27
OUTDOOR GnlA5U1
pointed, in view of all the facts. to draft
resolutions to be presented to Congress.
The Committees Conclusions.
committee submits


resolutions to be presented to Congress.
The Committees Conclusions.
That committee submits:
That the health of children is primarily
dependent on life in the open air and sun
shine.
That the phyJical strength and vigor of
city children comes almost altogether from
play.
That arrests of and accidents to children
Increase very largely as soon as schools
close for the summer Statistics gathered In
New York, St Louis and Chicago indicate
an increase of nearly 90 per cent?, and that
there is nearly corresponding fall In rate
when Fairgrounds are opened in any local
ity and the children are taken off the
streets.
That children form their habits of cour-
tesy. truthfulness and honesty or their OPP
posites mostly In play; consequently IL they
play habitually by themselves they are apt
to form these habits after street models,
while In imitation of a refined play leader
they unconsciously copy ways of courtesy
and kindness. The influence on the chill
diem can be plainly seen in cities that have
had directed play for some time.
That for boys and young men the athletic
field Is the most powerful rival of the
saloon and the brothel.
Moreover, the committee believes all of
the benefits suggested may be secured
through well-directed Fairgrounds. and 1t
believes further that to group in one build
ing a public bath. public comfort sta
ton, a library an auditorium. play room
and a gymnasium has many advantages.
among which are the following:
Advantages Pointed Out.
That 1t secures a great saving in the cost
OF sites and buildings over the erection OF
these features separately: that the oper-
atng expenses will be much less; that each
feature of the building will contribute to
the popularity of the Others as shown by
the experience of Boston and Chicago,
where they are used to the fullest extent.
sthat 1t will be more convenient for the peo-
pie to have these utilities together than to
have to pass from building to building to
make use of more than one of them, and
that, by bringing the people of any commu-
nifty together thus in a common center, not
only are they kept away from the saloons
and evil influences, but strong incentive
is given to the forming of neighborly and
community feeling.
Last year at Calvary Baptist and many
other churches a talk was given on the
subject of Fairgrounds on children's day
or some other Sunday, and the collection
was devoted to Fairgrounds and. summer
outings together or to one of them. The
collection at Calvary Baptist Church was
$3GS.
Appeal to Clergy.
An effort is being made to have all the
ministers in the city take up the movement.
and by the devotion of a certain time to
the presentation Of the influence of the
Fairgrounds in the direction of civic better
ment SO interest the people that there Will
be but one sentiment in the matter. Al
ready 1t is we'll established that Washing
ton is strongly in favor of building up q
complete playground system, for which the
appropriation asked Of Congress. is step IN
the way Of obtaining a model building