The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-11
DR.. Henry E. Curtis An
swers Captain Oyster,
Who Remains Firm.
BIG BOYS CROWD
YOUNGER ONES OUT
Thirteen Years Fixed at Age Limit
in Most Cities in
New York.

Defending his contention that it IS
imUracticable TO admit boys over thir-
teen years of age to the school play
grounds, DR.. Henry z. Curtis. director
Ct the Fairgrounds today replied TO
the criticisms made yesterday by Pres
ident Oyster. of the Board Of Educa-
ton, Who thre dtened to withdraw his
support, and possibly that Of the school
system from the Fairgrounds movement
# discrimination continues.
President oyster when informed that
Or. Curtis remained firm in his con-
tcution. and had iSs ned a statement
giving the reasons therefor, said that
he wanted it understood that he was
for the boys. first. vast. and all time"
and that he. too, was satisfied with the
position he had assumed in the matter.
Il believe that arrangements viii yet
he made whereby the grounds can be
enjoyed by all the children. both large
and small" SAID the boards president.
Dr. Curtis Gives His Case
DR.. Curtis in his statement says:
AT the meeting of the board of direc-
tors of the Washington Fairgrounds As
sOCiatiOn on Thursday a letter from a
thirteen ear-Old boy who wished 10
use the playground at the Garrison
School, was taken up and carefully con-
sldered Whilst the board sympaLhlZed
tplIy vita the attitude OF the boy and
regrets the necessity OF such action,
IL did not seem wise 10 allow the use
OF a playground only forty by sixty feet
IN size 10 boys OF this age, iuasmuch
as there - d municipal playground
within less than half mile of this one.
AT which there are all facilities FOR
games for the older boys. The question
Of setting aside separate hours for the
older boys was also considered but II
a rffur1fl 1rfa rsfr--
cumstanceS. But the board expressed
the hope that in the near future we
might have our municipal Fairgrounds
so located that all such boys would
be amply provided for
Elm the Fairgrounds Of New York and
Chicago boys over ten years are not al
lowed in the Fairgrounds with the girls
There is a separate playground for
boys over ten and a playground for
boys under ten. and the girls together
or The last three years the rule here
has been that the school Fairgrounds
should be for the girls and boys under
thirteen, and that boys over thirteen
should use the municipal Fairgrounds
instead.
Play Too Vigorous Games.
This rule was not promulgated on
account OF lack OF sympathy with the
older boys. but because e was impos-
sible to furnish these boys with the
apparatus which they needed in the
small space of the school Fairgrounds
When boys Of this age are admitted
they usually wish TO play indoor base
ball. or some such vigorous game. The
result il that seven or eight boys play
ing such q game take up the entire
space of the ground, and the small chill
Gren have 10 stand around and do moth
ing: OF, If they run across the ground
while these boys are playing they are
These larger boys are much more
noisy in their play tnan the smaller
children. and the residents Of the neigh
bOThoOd object to their being present in
the grounds Every large boy OF this
age probably keeps away four or five
smaller children by, his presence. Ge-
cause he occupies the space where II
would be possible for them 10 play.
Rule in American Cities
But the real decisive reason for their
not being admitted IS n social one, It
having been found in all cities that It
is not expedient for boys over thir-
teen to occupy a playground with older
girls. Very often, probably in ninety
five cases or ninety-nine out Of 100.
there may be nothing Objectionable, but
an Objectionable boy Of that age be-
comes a source of evil in the playground
which cannot be tolerated, and which
a teacher who Is busy with the other
ClllluAtH III Wi Abuo ldALS VI INC pLdg
ground cannot possibly keep track Of,
so that the rule which is practically
o. universal in American cities against
these older boys occupying the same
playground with the older girls has
D r. been built upon many years Of expert
ence. and on close sociological studies.
1T is the consideration Of these rea-
sons which has led the Playground
d , Association to make this rule, and 70
endeavor to enforce Il. There has also
10 been trouble in a number Of cases from
@ these older boys where they have been
admitted. But in all cases boys over
thirteen who have been excluded from
the Fairgrounds have been referred 10
the nearest municipal playground, and
. asked 10 go there. where there was
~ opportunity FOR baseball. VOlleV ball, and
- other games adapted to boys of their