New-York tribune., 1909-02-26
Of Infere.Sf -
~ TO SO0Trser1
PRAISES ATHLETICS
Mayor NcClelIan Says Girls League
Does a Much Needed Work.

The city of New York has gone about far as
1t ought or can afford to go in doing things for
the people, Mayor Mcclellan said in his speech
at the meeting Of the Girls Branch Of the Public
Schools Athletic League at the Colony Club yes
terday afternoon 1t is the Of rich individuals
"One Of the most dificult problems in munich
pal government" he said, is to know where gov
ernmental activity must end and where private
activity ought to begin. There is so much TO oe
done that touches our hearts Some Of the prof.
ects undertaken by the city have been dangerously
near paternalisIn, and yet most of them. 1 think
can be defended the ground of the absolute
needs OF an individualistiC community. But we
must not go any nearer the danger line Of pater-
nalisnl, and certainly cannot ask the taxpayers
TO contribute any than they do.
Yet there is much to be done, II we do our duty
much; and 1t must be done through the voluntary
contributions of private Individuals
No people on earth. the Mayor said, were as gen
erous with their money, sympathy and energy as
New Workers. IF there has been wastefulness in
the city OF New York, and things have been done
to the prejudice OF the people, it hasn't been with
sinister intentions 1t has been because of igno-
rance Nothing is easy to pick flaws in puo-
lie officials. The batting of officials Is popular
amusement In this town-slmost as popular as
baseball But people ought so remember that moth
ing in this world is perfect. Captious criticism
does harm, not good. and, besides, there are real
evils to be rghted There gaps. large gaps,
in our constructive work to be filled. And one gap
in our scheme Of government is the this league
is trying to fiji.
The city is spending more for the education Of
her children than any other community on earth.
She IS providing gymnasa, Fairgrounds. swim
ming pools for them. But at p. m. the children
turned out upon the street, subject to evil in
husnces which may in an hour destroy the heart
breaking iabors Of their teachers for months Here
is where the league steps in.
The Mayor extolled the public school teachers
who were giving their leisure time voluntarily to
the work of helping on the league, Think what 1t
means" he said. Hundreds of tired teachers.
after working from to at one OF the most nerve
rackinE of occupations, are giving their hard
earned leisure for the good OF the children
Now the league teaches children that most diff
1cuIt OF arts-how to enjoy themselves 1t develops
them physically, it gives them courage and indie
pendence Hundreds of thousands of immigrants
are coming yearly to our shores and many of them
bring doctrines inimical to our institutions These
doctrines can't flourish in healthy American, and
the league, by helping the schools to graduate such
Americans is helping to stamp out danger That
is why venture to ask you to contribute TO this
cause-to give money, time, energy to the Public
Schools Athletic League"
John H. Finley, president Of the College Of the
City OF New York. looked out over the audience,
which was largely feminine, and said that judging
by the way things were tending he thought
the functions of the state were becoming. not
pstsrnalistic. but materialistic. He confessed TO
feeling bashfuI. because he used to talking to
men and BOYS but recovered sufficiently TO discuss
that serious problem, how 10 employ playtine.
I'VE are beginning now he said. ITO teach chill
dren work and thiDk they're playing The diff
ference is in the thinking. The railway engineer
isn't working hard the motor car enthusiast
trying win 2 The man profsnely digging
up the earth with golf stick is toiling more
fiercely than the man with the hoe But suppose
Il would cost much patience, so much time 10
get people 20 work play. that IL is best TO
teach them work well, and then 10 play well.
II seems that the denstured child Of to-day in its
denatured environment, can't play, any more than
II eat sleep. without the advice Of experts
However. a great deal has been done for boys
in giving them a chance TO play. and what has
been done for boys and should be done for
girls"
DR.. Maxwell spoke briefly OF the $40 school teach
ers who are giving their leisure learn folk
dancing and games under Miss Elizabeth Burche-
nal. that they may teach the children.
But there is to be done" he said. These
teachers reach, perhaps. twenty thousand girls
There are. roughly speaking 275,OOO girls in our
schools"
Miss BurchenaI gave short talk Egerton L.
Winthrop jr., president of the Board OF Education
presided Among those In the audience Mrs
IIOrillard Spencer, Jr.. Mrs. William X. Draper
Mrs Oliver Gould Jennings. Mrs. James Speyer
and George Davis. president Of Normal College.