Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11

Wowl
The fact that the boys of the Eighth
ward have already formulated a yell
for the new recreation center, although
IL was not opened until yesterday after
noon, SHOWS In what eager anticipation
Ihey have awaited this event in their
lives.
They swarmed through Recreation
center yesterday afternoon in un-
washed, happy hundreds, and whenever
their elueIs were quiet enough SO they
could be heard, gave their new yell
with a vigor anu enthusiasm that
warmed the hearts OF their fathers and
mothers, which had grown CallouSeo
by the butteungs with nard world.
Mrs. WlnougnDy Rodman, Miss Bes-
sic Stoddart ana councilman Barney
healy were the biggest and happiesI
people in the EignCh ward yesterday.
Due almost entirely to the efforts OF
these three, City recreation center, at
st. John and Holly streets, has been
constructed and equipped, the expend-
iture so far representing about $4,000.
Less than half the dream OF these
three, however, has been realized. Be-
fore Recreation center is completed
they expect to expend approximately
100000. In addition to the handsome
mission building situated at one end OF
the large lot, they expect to build a
natatorium at the other end and join
the two buildings with cross section.
There is about $4,000 left in the fund
appropriated by the city council for
this purpose, and before it can be
completed to the satisfaction of the
playground commission and Council
man Healy further appropriations must
be made or some pnllanthroplSt must
donate a large amount to the cause.
Recreation center is not only play
ground for children; its scope is much
broader. 1t is a settlement house, and
Is intended as much for the benefit OF
adults as children.
While the playground feature is most
prominent, the bulk of the money hav-
ing been expended with that object in
view, it will be used largely for lee
lures, dramatic presentations-mos
amateur-social entertainments, club
house for young men and women, re-
ceptions, and in fact all reasonable di-
versions compatible with an institution
of this character. University extension
courses will be given, and from time to
time musical and literary entertain
ments provided, admission to which
will be free.
Free Amusements
A majority of persons who live in
this congeSted district cannot afford to
pay for concerts and lectures, and so
are deprived of many OF the pleasures
of life which more fortunate persons
enjoy. When the work launched yes
terday is well under way they will have
all these advantages at no cost to
themselves.
Mrs, Willoughby Rodman, happy In
the knowledge that one of her dreams
for civic improvement is /, a fair way
to be realized, was president of the day
yesterday. In the assembly room of
Recreation hall, which when it is not
doing duty as an assembly room is
splendidly equipped gymnasium, Mrs.
Rodman presided and introduced the
speakers to an audience which num-
bered several hundred.
In her Introductory remarks Mrs.
Rodman gave Los Angeles credit for
having the only recreation center west
of Chicago, and pointed with pride to
what the playground commission had
done with the money SO far expended.
She said the natatorium would be con-
structed as soon as enough money was
secured to build it, and enlogized the
mayor and council for their hearty CO.
operation in the work.
She was followed by Mayor Harper,
who made a personal talk to the boys
and girls present, during which he said
that Mrs. Rodman was splendid busi-
ness woman and that she had got more
for the 100000 the playground commits
sion had expended than anyone else
could have done. He said the object of
the Fairgrounds was to keep the boys
and girls from the workhouse and
worse institutions, and in this way to
make them good citizens.
Rev. Charles e. Locke, pastor of the
First Methodist church, who recently
has been called to Los Angeles to fill
the place left vacant by the appoint
ment of Rev. Robert Mcintyre as
bishop, said that New York was build
ing Fairgrounds and spendirs millions
of dollars in so doing because the city
had not begun the work until land had
become very valuable. He commended
Los Angeles citizensss especially the
members Of the playground commits