Evening journal., 1908-12-11
Friday, December II, 1908
cHILDREN'S FAIRGROUNDS.

-
n is going on in Reading, Pa A few de-
voted women-and the women always seem TO
lead in these movements for civic improvement
and some public-spirited men have set about to
provide Fairgrounds for the thousands of chill
dren in the big capital of thriving Berks county.
But, strange to say, there is objection to the pro-
ject Many of the old-timers'- and they appear
TO have hold on Readings Board of Education
ARE opposed TO Fairgrounds. Their reason
seems to be that as they played in the streets
when they were xoung, the children of the pres-
ent day should do likewise. At any rate il the
Fairgrounds to be an expense to the city they
will be opposed by the officials. This is a queer
argument. We might as we'll say that because
our grandfathers rode in stage coaches we should
not desire modern methods Of transportation.
1t seems that the School Board of Reading has
prohibited the use of the school yards for play
ground purposes, and among the city councimen
there is little sentiment for Fairgrounds Despite
these obstacles, the movement TO secure such
places Tor children is going valiantyon. A noted
lecturer is to deliver an address in. Reading in am
effort to arouse public sentiment in favor of the
children. The children themselves who have had
taste OF Fairgrounds are enthusiastic for them
The position OF the Reading authorities seems
illogical 1t cannot be maintained, simply be-
cause the playground in a growing city is a neces-
sty, and when really tried the verdict is not
that Fairgrounds shall be abandoned but that a
city must have more of them.
How different is the attitude of the Reading
authorities from that of the authorities of this
city. Here our officials, especially the members
OF the Board of Education, work in harmony
with the Fairgrounds Associations members
One of the most devoted friends of Fairgrounds
is President Shortlidge, of the Board of Educa-
ton, whose enthusiastic advocacy of Fairgrounds
for children must have won for him a tender spot
IN the hearts OF the countless number of little
ones who enjoy the grounds that we already have
1t must be a hard-hearted man. indeed who
after witnessing the romping of the children on a
playground, such as that which the Messrs
Mundy turned over to the city, would declare
that the playground is undesirable. In fact in
every growing city, Fairgrounds are needed
They keep the children off the streets, out OF
harms way and out of mischief They are re-
lief to the minds of anxious parents, because
some older person, who sees that nothing i'll be-
falls the children is always in charge Of the play
ground.
The public officials Of Reading must be par
ticularly obdurate in their opposition to play
grounds, il we may judge by the expressions Of
the Reading Herald The Herald does not be-
leve that even the lecture of Mr.. Hammer. the
expert on the playground question, will convince
the Reading city fathers of the desirabltv Of
Fairgrounds But they will be convinced sooner
or later. If they are not converted the people of
Reading should put them out of office and elect
TO office wide awake men.
1t seems that Reading has had a playground.
which consisted of a little diney churchvard
open eight or ten weeks during tho summer and
maintained by rummage sales and sock socials" I"
This method. of course, is not satisfactory
We trust that the people of Reading who are
working for this delight of the children will con-
tinue their efforts and not become discouraged
Thy will win in the end They ought to win.