Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-05-21
WILL CLOSE STREET TO
SAVE CHILDREN.
Sections Proves Need of
Fairgrounds.

A widespread, concerted move for the
closing of various streets in the congest
ed sections of Greater New York that
they might be used as children's play
grounds was inaugurated yesterday by
the Metropolitan Parks and Fairgrounds
Association, following the suggestion of
the New York American.
Howard Bradstreet, secretary of the So
ciety, said last night that The Americans
idea had struck a popular chord, and
that within "A fortnight determined
fight will have been started to have il
carried out.
eve have received communications
from hundreds of persons" he declared,
"who are heartily in favor of the move
ment, and influential citizens in various
districts have taken it upon themselves
to circulate petitions calling upon the AL
dermen to provide means for the enjoy
ment of the poor in spots where there is
no danger of their losing their lives by
automobiles or other street traffic.
Within fortnight it is probable we
will have in our possession the consents
of property holders, which will make it
impossible for those responsible to refuse
these widespread requests"
Mr.. Bradstreet said there was no ques-
ton that within very short time many
thoroughfares in the crowded districts
would be given over exclusively to chill
dren.
Naturally" he continued, "these spots
will not be as pleasant as the green
parks, but we shall furnish park expert
attendants and will devise games for the
boys and girls to play which will keep
them from the thoroughfares in which
their lives are constantly exposed"
The lives of more children were sacri-
feed in the streets of New York during
the quarter year ending March 81 than
during any similar period in the city's
history. The fact is attributable solely
to the lack of chidren's Fairgrounds.
NO REAL RECORD OF CASUALTIES.
Despite this fact, there is no official
record of the number of casualties or ac-
cidents for any given period. Mr. Brad
street said no provision was made for
such statistics, and that the only way
they could be obtained would be through
perusal of the card index systems of
the large hospitals. In a general way,
the record is kept by the Bureau of Vital
!
accidents to children in the streets and
those who befall men or women.
From perusal of the departments
books for the quarter, it was learned
however, that twenty-one persons had
been run over and killed in the streets by
automobiles alone. Fully so per cent of
these were boys and girls at innocent
play, while all were under the age of
twenty years. Twenty. one were crushed
to death by wagons or trucks, twenty
nine were killed by surface cars, while
half score of others met death in other
ways while at play, because of the scar
city of parks.
1t was estimated at the Board of
Health that three hundred and fifty chill
dren lose their lives annually in the
streets, and the playground officials de-
clare that this number could easily be
reduced 80 per cent if the city would
only furnish parks or follow The Ameri-
cans idea and close streets here and
there.
1t was pointed out by Mr.. Bradstreet
that the closing of single block at in
tervals would not in the least hinder ve-
hicular traffic, while it would take thous-
ands and thousands of children out of the
paths of danger
| President MCGOWAN, of the Board of
Aldermen, is deeply interested in every
move for more parks and Fairgrounds.
He has selected six sites that he will
recommend the city to purchase and
throw open at once. He has also picked
out two spots for athletic fields and will
suggest that the city also utilize certain
pieces of its own property.
Unless the city decides to close many
streets at once the Fairgrounds Associa-
ton will ask that traffic be stopped on
certain streets for short time until the
practicability of The Americans plan
may be fully tested
Recreation centers of the city will be
discussed at the weekly luncheon of the
City Club this afternoon. j. Horace Nc
Farland president of the American Civic
Associations Public Service Commissioner
Wilcox, Eugene A. Philbin, DIR. Luther
H. Gulick, president of the Playground
Association of America, and DIR. Henry
Moskowitz will be guests.-Boston Amer
can.