Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-21
NEED OF FAIRGROUNDS
Work of Association Discussed
at Banquet.
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT
Chief Executive Made an Encourag.
ing Statement.
VIEWS OF SEVERAL SPEAKERS
Commissioner Of Education Among
Those Who Delivered Addresses
Progress of Movement.
VIEWS OF SEVERAL SPEAKERS

Progress of Movement.
More than $50 members of the Washing
ton Playground Association, their friends
and number of guests. met at banquet
at Rauschers Connecticut avenue and L
street, last evening to discuss the achieve
ments of the association during the past
year and to advocate plans for the future.
The chief purpose of the banquet, as stated
by Mr.. Cuno H. Rudolph, the president of
the association, was to help along, as far as
possible, the pending bills before Congress.
one of which provides an appropriation of
$75, 600 to purchase sites for Fairgrounds,
and the other $4,000 for the equipment Of
the same
President Roosevelt, who had been invited
but was unable to attend. sent a message
which was read by the presiding officer, in
which he strongly advocated the play
ground movement in Washington, saying
he regarded it as one Of the most important
steps toward making Washington the model
city which every one feels that the capital
of this nation should be. Representative
Henry s. Boutell of Chicago, Ill. in an in
teresting address, explained the bill he has
introduced in Congress to provide space for
the recreation Of young America Commits
sioner mcfarland declared that the future
success Of a city is dependent upon the
strength of its children. Addresses were
also made by DIR. Elmer Ellsworth Brown,
commissioner Of education, and DIR. Henry
S. Curtis, supervisor of Fairgrounds
Tasteful Decorations.
The large hall on the second floor of
Rauscher's was decorated appropriately
for the occasion. The banquet tables were
tastefully strewn with pink and white
flowers and the walls were decorated with
greens and bunting. Much credit for the
success of the evening is due to the banquet
committee. consisting of Mr.. Macfarland,
chairman; Mrs. Truman. Newberry, Mrs.
Wallace Radcliffe, Miss Elizabeth s. Oliver,
Mr.. Afford w. Cooley, Mrs. Henry I.
Rainey. Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey Col.
Charles Cromwell, q. s. A; Mr.. Charles ].
Bell, Mr. Cuno H. Rudolph, DIR. Teunis 8.
Hamlin and Mrs. William H. Taft.
Representative Boutell's Views.
The first speaker was Representative
Boutell. He said he has been associated
with various playground movements in Chi
cago, and Is impressed with their necessity
in the rapidly growing cities. He stated
that he hopes the local movement will re-
ceive every consideration and generous
treatment at the hands of the present Con-
gress, as the cause is not only worthy
one, but there is much necessity for it here.
The speaker told why he introduced the
x
Fairgrounds as a Municipal Undertaking..
1.-The growing community the speaker
said, has a peculiar and natural interest
in the character and strength of its future
citizen and should ever be making plans to
deal with the future by preparing healthy
citizenship. Nothing will do more good
than a public playground. 1t Is essential
in forming the strong man and woman. IL
I had to choose between school without
a playground and a playground without
school l would without the slightest hesita-
ton take the latter.
The next speaker was DR.. Brown, the sub
ject of his toast being THE Part of Play in
Education for Life"
play counts for MORALS he said ut
creates good. wholesome companionship.
Strong hearts, sturdy legs and big lungs
are more important in young America than
big heads. Children know how to play. but
they should be taught to perfect their play.
Young men who do not know how to play
often are driven to drink. There should be
variety of sports for the young ones to pick
from.
1.-The spirit of play he continued, builds
up a good, strong, healthy race. The lads
who turn out to be thieves and criminals
are those who are not given chance to
indulge in good honest, healthful play when
they are at the crucial age. Regarding the
local movement, by it We are giving the
city child the same opportunity and advan-
tage to play as the country child
Commissioner Macfarland Speaks.
every thing" Commissioner mcfarland, the
next speaker, said. Moreover, it will
have it. Our citizens, by their voluntary
contributions, have maintained needed in
sttution until they have cvonvinced Con-
gress that it must be main tanned by the
municipality.
1.-The citizens experiment showed that,
Notwithstanding our supremacy IN PARK
spaces and trees, outdoor training of the
playground type, with all its necessary &C
compa niments, was required and desired by
those for whom it was intended. 1t was OBJ
viously a municipal duty to add this indiS-
pensable feature to the educational system.
After small experimental appropriations
had been made by Congress on the Commits
sioners' recommendation We were fortunate
in having the National Playground Associa-
ton hold its organization meeting here a
year ago. The Commissioners embraced
the opportunity to secure that associations
expert advice as to comprehensive play
ground plan for Washington, and its first.
official action was to prepare such plan
for the Commissioners. The fruit of the
experience of many cities at nome anu
and of the ripened thought Of the most
skilled national leaders in this movement.
its principles are Of value everywhere, and
the world In brief the plan contempiates:
First. A playground within reasonable
walking distance Of every child
Second. A general playground IN each
ton. providing not less than two acres for
each 1900 children, besides Fairgrounds at
tached to school buildings, giving thirty
so,,a re feet for each child in the school.
..Third. Athletic fields for older boys.
Fourth. That playground buildings
which have been found necessary elsewhere
should be tried here, furnishing public
baths public comfort facilities. a branch of
the Public Library and an auditorium for
ne:ghborhood gatherings, besides a play
room and gymnasium.
I,e o1o tod in s.vn1,
by the Commissioners and recommended to
Congress We are expecting the initial
large appropriation for the purchase Of
sites and their equipment this year..
Protection Of Infant Industries.
Dr. Curtis. the last speaker. devoted his
remarks to the accomplishments of the
local movement and the prospects for the