Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-17
Public Fairgrounds.

In one conspicuous respect the DISTRICT
appropriation bill, as il came from commit
tee. measured up to public hopes. 1t con-
taIned an item of s15.GO for the purchase
of sites for public Fairgrounds, thus put
ting that project at last in way to become
satisfa ctorily established in Washington
The bill was to this extent highly satisfac-
tory and encouraged those citizens who rec
ognize the vital need of playground provis-
Ion at this time. before the problem OF
child control becomes seriously complicated
by the growth of the city. In another re-
spect. however. it was disappointing. the
committee cutting down the estimate for
playground maintenance from $3o,Wo to
5000 or Just half the present fund.
Washington is growing rapidly. The
swift succession of building permits for
dwellings, and apartment houses is plain
Indication that the population is fast
mounting In a few years if wise laws are
not framed conditions here will be deplora-
BILE Already in some quarters the pressure
OF habitation is so great that the children
have no place to play but in the streets.
Notwithstanding the belief expressed IN
some quarters that the street Is the proper
place for child to play. that view is not
entertained by those who have studied the
problem of child protection and restraint
Other cities have taken the lead in this re-
spect and have provided well-equipped
recreation parks for the youngsters. which
unques tionably save lives and preserve
health. They give the children opportunity
to engage in games not only beyond the
dangers of the streets. but in wholesome
surroundings. Competent guides supervise
their pastimes and help them to exercise
their bodies harmlessly. A well-conducted
public playground is indeed an effective
supplement to the public school.
Washlngton's efforts to establish play
grounds have been of character to call
attention forcefully to the necessity of con-
gressional action The work has hereto
fore been almost exclusively supported by
private subscriptions. Under the heaviest
handicaps it has been pressed until the
great value of these recreation grounds has
been demonstrated. DR.. Curtis. the director
Of the Fairgrounds. stated to the House sub
committee on District appropriations that
during the months of July and August last
the poorly equipped borrowed grounds were
visited by 23S, 600 children. an average daily
attendance of between 1900 and 5.o00. After
school began. up to the date of the hearing.
ths daily average had been !, 500. The aver
age cost at the latter rate was only about
1ta cents per child per day.
These figures ought to furnish compell-
ing argument to induce every member of
Congress to adopt a liberal policy toward
the District in this regard. At cost of
penny two day apiece each child in the
capital can be given a chance to grow
strong and to keep out of danger. With the
District In permanent possession of we'll
equipped recreation parks, located as to
meet the needs of wide areas. il will be no
longer necessary for any child to go into
the streets TO romp and exercise Every
child in Washington will have chance to
pay decently and safely. and the list of
accidents and moral wrecks will grow
steadily less in proportion as this work is
advanced.