The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

ness OF the little red schoolhouse In the
country district should be so much
greater than that of our city schools
The most advanced Of Eastern cities
have shown US that it need not be -
Especially in the crowded districts the
mothers go during the evening with
their sewing. an there after 4 day Of
hard work meet the mothers of the
other children And we hear OF IN
stances where parents leave cold and
desolate homes for the well heated and
well lighted school building And why
should San Francisco not offer this same
advantage?
Then We are told OF free evening leo
lures in the Observation-Disclosures or
talks that will al Jeal to the fathers
who are too busy during the day work.
ing for the daily bread to find time to
read. Why should San Francisco not
have lectures OF this sort IN the school
house?
There are none so unwiss. however,
as to advocate using the regular class
rooms OF the children for these evening
meetings. That would never DO. But
in the same building rooms could BE
set aside for evening use.
1 have made mention OF having q
branch Public Library IN each sohoea
building. This could be done with vexY
little trouble and would save The city
a great expense. The children. tco, wha
use library books. would save time ana
doubtless many OF those who Do noe
use books might fall into the habit,
with the library so near.
/ know all these things are pesdbis.
for they have been triad most gaceess-
fully in Boston, Chicago. New York AnA
other cities. Why than should San
Francisco not take advantage of hsR
fine climate and make her start In
opening all her school yards GetaR
school hours? II has been proven that
the children here will take advantage
OF the opportunity and enjoy it. 20 wh
then deprive OF their Just rights
any longer those children who have not
had the good fortune to attend the
Franklin School?
Parents who send their children on
to boarding school often give as a rsa-
son. Because they can have so much
more out-of-door exercise" Is 1t right.
though that only those few children
OF well-to-do parents should have that
wholesome out-Of-door exerciseg Sure
ly no. The children OF the poor should
have Just as much consideration.
1t is u crime TO send our boys and
girls into crowded narrow streets for
their play. when they can SO easily
have the freedom OF a clean schoolyard-
Awake. then. San Francisco. and do
your duty.
When you find footpads Of IA years
among you. don't fold your hands and
groan with horror. II is your own
fault. You have failed 10 do your duty
by these very same boys. The individ-
z ual is the child OF the state first OF all,
{and because the fisshly parent cannot
{or does not do his duty is no reason
that the State should neglect It.
Boys and girls are seldom bad In the
}oeginning because they wish to be. but
}beeause they are weak and arc led to
'>t Keep. then. your boys and girls
}under the guidance OF well trained and
moral athletes in their play hours and
{they will have less time in which to
tlearn the ways OF crime in dark alleys.
Z Fill up the time with wholesome
sport and there viii be little left for
\loaiinS and contamination. 1t has been
{wsll said:
The boy without a playground IN
father TO the man without job"
That Is the time when the real mis-
'chief hexinS