The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-15


lities of the being which respond most
readily through avenues of play.
Every form of play demands re-
cognition of the rights and privilege
of others; requires absolute comp.i-
ance with the rules of the game; and
can bring the highest degree of pleas
ure and profit wEen all engaged are
prompted to exercise politeness, cour-
tesy, honesty, proper exercise of the
principles of justice, and true sympa-
thy. All these qualities are virtues
to be encouraged and cultivated. This
should be done by adequate provisions
of grounds, equipment and intelligent
supervision.
Those Of SO fortunate as to have
enjoyed the advantages so abundantly
provided in Walla Walla, such as
broad. level streets. wide, spacious
lawns. large, well-kept school grounds,
scores of vacant lots, manv brooks
and creeks, refreshing shade trees, in
spring mountain views, and unriy-
allied climatic condis ions, cannot rea-
lie the poverty of those who are
housed in the great tenement districts
of our popuious cities.
millions of children of our own
land never step on foot of soil ud-
less perchance they venture where
some street sewer is being laid.
"Solid pavements, rough stones--hot
in summer, cold and repellant in win
ter-is all that attracts the feet of
these city children. Born in rooms de-
void of sunlight, only the artificial
light of oil, gas, or electricity to give
them vigor; inspired by no vision save
an occasional view of smoke laden
sky, as shown above the high build
ings of some narrow street or alley,
and fed on vegetables, milk, and meat
If fortunate to get such food-which
has been transported hundreds of
miles, and received stale as only such
conditions could produce, the child
hood is robbed Of much, aye, of near
Iv all that makes life worth the liv-
ing.
..Thousands of children attend school
where only artificial Eight is seen;
where the school building covers the
entire tract owned by the district,
and where there is either no opportu-
nifty for play or recreation, or at best
a roof-garden, reached by climbing
many stories. These cities have parks
hut they are frequently many niles
from the places of genuine need, ana
a very limited per cent of the children
ever see the beauties there presented.
Not a place in Walla Walla where the
eve is not met, if you will turn the
compass, with a veiW of grassy plats,
beautiful flowers, cooling waters and
abundant shade. Nature has made
if EASY for our people to have and en-
low these valuable assets, for though
anv one may not have recorded title
to lots, books, grounds, etc., they are
his to enjoy through sight and SOUND
and through the pure air they make
possible.
"This may in a measure account 1or
the hardness of our people to make
public parks, to provide for public rec
reation. and may account for some of
the present apparent apathy. Hut
once the people recognize that recrea-
tion is part of education; that the val
ne of the future citizen will be meas
ured quite largely by the opportun,-
ties that the city offers for clean,
healthful, enobling sport; that the
physical power of any community Is
a tangible asset, then, doubt not, al
will rally to the support of those VINO
are now creating interest in this i'm
portant division of education.
1--WE are proud to state that no city
of Washington has such large school
grounds as has Walla Walla; that we
have the finest gymnasiums in the
state owned by school district; that
we have a gentleman and a lady to
direct the physical development OF
our youth; and that our citizens lave
shown marked liberality when the
question of needs for pubic education
were presented While there may be
cause for just criticism of failure II
meet demands in other directions, we
believe it will not be found in the dl-
rection of public school expenditures.
81 trust we may have a fuller ap-
preciation of what is ours to enjoy,
and certainly short study of condl-
lions in other cities will convince us
that Walla Walla is a good place to
grow boys and girls, as well as wheat
and fruit"
Miss Smith Speaks.
u CrNNIf III