The Washington times., 1910-10-26
Officials Praise Times Plan
of lncloSing Street Op-
poSite Building.
SOLVES PROBLEM,
SAYS A. T. STUART
No Better Temporary Expedient
Could Be Found, Agree Stuart,
Cox, Oyster, and Others.

Immediate and universal commenda-
tiOn from heads Of the District govern
ment and public school officials was the
greeting given the suggestion o. The
Washington Times that the children be
allowed exclusive use Of the block in
front OF their school for a playground
during the noon hour.
The plea for school children made in
the editorial columns Of The Times yes
terday afternoon pointed out that the
space allotted for play around the ma.
jority OF the 80 school buildings IN
Washington was too small The remedy
was the suggestion that the street in
front or on the side OF eech building be
closed 20 traffic between L and ! O'Clock
each day, so the youngsters could play
in the street without danger.
Cox Praises Plan.
The idea IS novel and excellent, and
think capable OF being put into per
feet execution" was the opinion OF w
V Cox, president % the Board Of I.5G-
cation
I am astonished that such a simple
and economical solution has not been
thought OF before" was the comment Of
Superintendent Of Schools A. T. Stuart.
Expressions Of approval were also made
by Capt James r. Oyster and Henry p.
Blair, both members Of the Board Of
Education.
AT least thirty square feet Of play
ground per pupil is necessary 10 its
mental and physical well being" con-
tinued President Oyster In our schools
amount. most are grossly iusuffciently
provided, and many, 1 am sorry TO say.
are without any Fairgrounds al all
Il have been trying 70 ma some
solution 20 the problem. bur the cost
has been the barrier The street plan Is
q good temporary eI 0ecIent- I cannot
now see anything better, even as a per-
nanent plan, except the rUtnOus project
OF purchasing adjacent grounds. The
move has my most hearty cooperation
Is Perfect Solution.
TT is an inspiration" said Superin-
tendent Stuart 4 am astonished now
that such an easy, simple, economical
and perfect solution Of the playground
problem has never occurred TO me be-
fore. I will be glad 20 help
''Of course, il may be said Jtat some
OF the residents along the block thus de-
voted 10 the children for the noon hour
will make complaint. and the first OBJ
lection that strikes one is tre noise.
but the children have been using the
block already. more or less. Whereas
heretofore the children have not had
the full benefit OF the space or account
OF the vehicles that cOnstarlI. inter
fered with their play, and rendered the
street dangerous to them. under this
plan they could have TUll swing and
get the benefit that the broad ana 'ong
spaces would afford and feel that a an
don that IS necessary for the fun en-
iOynent Of the child at play I have
watched them from the window Of the
Franklin School here. trying 10 play
and vet unable 20 fully enjoy their
Of the passing vehicles. We have no
statistics Of the children injured at the
different schools while playing in the
streets at recess but accidents are
common Children under eight years Of
age need more play space"
Fairgrounds insufficient.
When asked about the present pro-
vision for Fairgrounds at the different
schools. Mr. Stuart said: There are
about $50 schools in the District: Of
these only n few are provided with play
ground sufficient for the pupils
The majority are either without any
OF with grossly inadequate ground for
the chiIdren's play.
Especially Is this true Of the old and
large schools in the populous portions
Of the city, erected when adjacent va
cant lots furnished ample space for the
purpose. Now all this ground has been
built up and the thousands Of children
are left 10 the streets for their recrea-
tiOn. Here are a few Of the schools
without any playground that I can
mention Off-hand."