The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-09
PLAY GROUNDS
 FOR THE PUBLIC National Movement Is Receiv- ing a Great Impetus JUVENILES ARE IN PERSISTED More Than Hundred and Fifty Thou sand Voters In Massachusetts
 Are in Favor of the
 Project.
JUVENILES ARE IN PERSISTED
By EVERETT B. NERO.

Editor of American Fairgrounds.
 Significant enough to warrant the gem eral attention that is being given to it, is the fact that the state in which was started the first American public out door gymnasium and recreation center is the state first to give the playground movement in this country official general indorsement. That state is Massachu- setts
 The general indorsement came by the action of 40 cities and towns whose voters accepted the act of the 1908 legislature officially known as chapter 513 of the acts of that year This act requires that every community that adopts 1t must provide conveniently located and properly equipped playground flor the recreation said city or town"
 Fairgrounds are hereby incorporated into the educational and social systems of the municipalities much the same as schools are included.
 Of 28 cities that voted on the question 24 adopted the law. Of the IS towns that voted, all adopted It. These 40 communi- ties have until July. 1s10 to comply with the law, but in most cases immediate ac- ton will be taken for the coming sum- mer. The total vote was approximately 154500 In favor to $500 against. The remarkable general indorsement Of the playground movement and what 1t involves by the voters of Massachusetts is attracting attention nationally. Dr. Luther H. Gulick, president of the Play ground Association of America and chair man of the Playground Extension com mttee of the Russell Sage Foundation, says
 '"The general sentiment of the voters of state has been tested for the first time in America with reference to their estimation of playgrounds. It is for tunate that this test occurred in Massa- chusetts, because Massachusetts has had longer playground experience than any other state in America. The overwhelm- ing vote in favor of playgrounds Is addi- tional evidence that the American peo- pie propose, first of all to take care of their children"
 As an outgrowth of the playground ag itation, if indeed it Is not the foundation on which playgrounds rest, Is the move ment for definite attention to the welfare of childhood by such methods as that in Hartford, Conn., Through an amendment
  to establish a commission on juvenile af- fairs. Such commission shall have pow CT to investigate into all questions relat- ing to the welfare of the children of the city" An annual report would be re- quired to the city council.
 One of the first questions to be consid- cred by the new commission when legal ly established is likely to be that of compulsory attendance at playgrounds, for the reason that motor or physical education to be secured out of doors Is equally important with mental educa- ton usually secured in school houses. Merely providing playgrounds Is but one step in the right direction. The matter of industrial training with the national discipline that accompanies useful occupa- ton will likewise be taken up.
 The Massachusetts Civil league has plan started that tends in the same di- rection-to look after the interests of jul venfle citizens The league aims to have formed in each city and town in its state a local group of people to look out for all the interests of children A new type of organization is in mind for which suffi-, ciensly expressive name has not yet been found. Fairgrounds offer the first tangi- ble word for these local groups, because here Is the particular thing that needs first mention and is ready. An executive
 
 from various towns and cities of the state has been formed under the gen eral direction of Joseph Lee, Secretary E. T. Hartman and Thomas Curley of the Civic league. The secretary expresses the idea in mind in these wordS
 "The child is the psychological unit and everything affecting the interests of child. hood should come into the field of activity of such local organizations. There are juvenile courts, probation, truancy. child labor, medical inspection in the schools. open air schools, and other problems affecting children which need or are going to need attention in the very near future"
 One of the ways by which town or city may contribute directly to the hap piness of its people, young and older, Is by providing them with proper means for open air exercise, recreation and play. This is one of the modern tendencies for social service.