The Washington herald., 1910-05-08
CHILDREN'S SPRING
FESTIVAL SUCCESS
Big Spectacle Presented as
Climax of Programme.
TOTS PROCESSION PICTURESQUE
Street Near Steamboats, Decorated
with Great BANNERS and Turned
over to Settlement Riddles for
May Plays and GRmes-PIenty of
Inspiring Music-RudOIph Speaks.

In connection with the conclusion, last
night. Of the Neighborhood House spring
festival. Miss Clara Jessup Van Trump,
the secretary. remarked: 1t has seemed
to some Of us that the occasion expresses
something of the cathedral spirit. which.
in ancient days prompted the various
people OF community 10 unite in some
great work for the common good
She compactly set forth the aim and
scope of the really notable undertaking
which has so inspired all in relation to
its activities that they see abundant field
for something similar in every neighbor-
hood of any city.
This is the viewpoint Of those initatory
in founding the settlement nine years ago.
To the larger number of persons. slower
10 grasp central. comprehensive ideas ex-
pressed in large language" the climax
of the three days programme was a
big spectacle well worth the while of
the concourse which crowded the pave
ments for a square either way from 470
n street. near the steamboat wharves.
Street GayIy Decorated.
Great banners. the colors of many ma
tions. foated overhead. and from the
windows OF the thrifty homes along the
street hung ribbon clusters in the deli
cate, mixed tints OF springtime. The
children organized. through the varied
activities of Neighborhood House into
many clubs and classes. were decked in
costumes pretty, picturesque and remark
able
From the hours Of till o'clock the
street was officially turned over to their
exclusive use for procession, many plays
and games. with plenty Of music includ-
ing band. instrumental and several swell
ing choruses by the carefully and effect
lively trained classes Of children.
There was a japanese play. a Chan
tecler play, a Virginia reel. and then the
official presentation of the flag won by
the children Of the house in the public
games last fall. It was received by little
ones attired to represent Uncle sam and
EeCe. the District Of Columbia" for the
Neighburhood House playground.
Shortly before shutdown there was a
joyous nagraising. with singing Of
America" in chorus This had been pre-
ceded by short addresses. James L. West
spoke in his capacity as secretary Of the
Washington Playground Association and
as official flag presenter
Acts for Children.
Commissioner Cuno II. Rudolph said:
Tt is with manifold pleasure I re-
ceive, in behalf Of the children Of the
Neighborhood House playground. this
flag. won by them at the Potomac Park
regatta last fall
,,,,,fr,r-s L-.z..--
belief in the public Fairgrounds and So
cial settlements. as good citizen builders.
is as solid and as many-sided as a block
of marble. I see carved on the sides OF
this civic block the 1.-the straight figures
Of thousands of children. learning 10 play
fairly and squarely the game of life on
thirty-eight well-equipped and supervised
school and municipal Fairgrounds OF
Washington.
ITO accomplish this work il has taken
nine years Of faithful. unselfsh. personal
service and the generous financial support
OF many friends The social settlement
workers Of the city. in ideal and in prac-
tioe, have mothered and fathered the
Washington playground movement for il
was IN the back yard Of Neighborhood
House the first public playground OF
Washington had its being.
Opened in Yard.
1T was there a public playground gate
was first opened to the little children of
the highways and byways Of lower South
west Washington. and il was within. I'M
der the large old shade trees. that the
frst lessons in fair play to all corners
We're taught and sought
I'VE have seen expressed at Neighbor-
hood House. from the beginning in 1901
70 the present festival day. this spirit Of
true social democracy. II has expressed
the working principle Of all republics"