The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-05

ancy offences increase during the
school year which balances the Of
fences of the summer months.
81 am informed by Supt. Charles
that a group of five boys was COM
mitted to the Industrial school from
Atchison for an offence destroying
$1,000 worth of property as result
of progressive suggestions among in
nocently congregated boys.
'It has been shown that practices
INDUCED in by boys during summer
months will be repeated when new
groups are formed by the opening of
school in the fall, and the summer
group is broken by the attendance of
It's members upon different schools.
I'm rural districts, offenses Il do
not want to say crime) are greater af-
ter the opening of school, but the en-
ergy seems to lose it's force in the
first few months.
THE greatest number of adfnis-
sions to the State Industrial school
are during the first months of the
school year. This is partly due to the
continuous summer offenses.
Now if the following can be taken
as an indication, it will be of interest
to observe the study by Superintend-
ent Charles. of 200 boys of the state
Industrial school. Having had entire
medical oversight of these boys for the
past two months, and partially for two
years, 1 am sure from only general OBJ
surprise at the figures given. OF 200
boys carefully examined for normal
physique, mentality, and morality there
were: Normal, IA; physically defective,
1876; mentally normal. 26; mentally de-
fective, ia; morally normal, IT; morally
detective. 1888; physically and mentally
normal but morally defective, 4; or 21a
per cent.
when we reflect upon the ancient
Grecian life we are embarrassed with
Tn fI1 NJ
Curtis, We want vital or organic
strength
Nearly all playground games in
volve running which tends to develop
heart, lungs and digestion. Vital or or
ganic strength is far more essential
than muscular strength. This strength
resists disease. It is the secret of the
utter eradication Of tuberculosis.
I'm a recent investigation in great
institution of research, it was found
that of 100 strong children, all carried
germs of some contagious or impairing
disease, as typhoid, d1phtheria. blood
poison, tuberculosis, and others which
in the physically impaired child might
have overpowered and sickened the
host.
1.-THE conduct of the playground is of
most Importance. If we propose to
merely open up vacant lots and put up
swings and teeter boards, (Which are
good as far as they go) without sys-
tematic direction and definite control,
let us be cautious about our invest
ment.
''Play is the first assertion of child
instinct Of you please but how quickly
he tires of one game. The management
of the Y. M. c. A. will bear me out in
this statement. and It was my ex-
perience in the Provident Boys club
that the enthusiasm so manifest by the
boys in ths gymnasium would not last
three months to turn the boys at their
own will to play.
Then to the boy with new means of
play goes to extremes and should have
an expert guide. If the work is sys-
tematized and conducted with the pri
mary aim to develop the physical being
well interspersed with games, it will
never fail in attracting the children.
Classification is difficult and has been
the barrier to proper legislation on
child labor. I would like to dwell on
this, but suffice to say children can
not be measured physically by age.
height, teeth, physical appearance, nor
by school grade, but by his physical be-
ing as 1T actually is.
Notwithstanding to Warmer, we
have the final propositions concerning
childhood:
''First-The main classes of defect
among school children include a larger
proportion of boys than girls.
Second-Children with development
al defects often present also abnormal
nerve signs and are delicate and dull.
''Third-Children with indications Of
brain disorders-that is abnormal nerve
signs-are often dull pupils.
"Fourth-Dull pupils are often deli
cate with indications of brain disorder
illness, that is, abnormal nerve signs"
Topeka Parks Discussed.
Park Commissioner Reinisch spoke
as follows on the Relation of Play
grounds to City Parks
61ya aoT-1xc NIT tot o1
area of about $50 acres. Ten years ago
when the park board assumed control
of these park lands, the need of pub
lie Fairgrounds was realized and dis
cussed. The several parks were con-
Sidered separately and it was found,
them and spend our money and energy
in extending the planting over as much
territory as possible every year, getting
trees and shrubs started to grow for
future shade and beauty. A nursery
was also started from which to sup
ply the needs for permanent paintings
more economically.
THE park funds We're less than S.
600 year during the first years and
it took very close planning to get the
most possible good out of them. Sew
era1 attempts We're made to vote bonds,
in order to improve the park lands at
once, but failed, consequently the work
had to DE done piece meal and natural
ly progressed very slow. as all the i'm
provements made. had to be paid for
out of small maintenance levy.
| THE first attention was directed to
| grading and subsequent permanent
planting of the parks. Grading work
| is always expensive. especially the
! building of lakes. and it is no wonder
that Gage park is yet uncompleted
and the Fairgrounds have not receiv-
ed the consideration their Importance
merits.
1.-THE levy for park purposes is made
! annually by the mayor and council, but
| is regulated by the legislature, whict
| fixes a maximum. This maximum has
been one mill, but was reduced by the
last legislature to u mill. This will
be about sufficient for the maintenance
| of the present parks.
| I'VE have erected in the past years
i