Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-11-08
WOMAN CLUB
HEAR NEED OF
FAIRGROUNDS
Myron 7. Scudder Delivers
Lecture In Presbyterian
ChapeI---lIIustrations.
RECREATION ESSENTIAL
TO CHAD'S HEALTH

"Public pIaygrounds'' was the topic
of very interesting as well as lnstruc-
tive lecture delivered before the Wo-
man g Club and guests in the Prespy-
terian chapel yesterday afternoon. MY,
ron Il. Scudder, former professor al
Rutgers College, was the speaker, and
used stereopticon views to illustrate
some of his points. The topic was in
deed a timely one for the city, as the
playground question was recently agl'
tated and is still under consideration.
Mr.. Scudder advanced some good
points by which the city may profit II
It should take them up. The principal
two of these were, that land will never
be cheaper than it is at present and that
children will not 90 more than half a
mile to a playground. The chapel was
filled almost to its capacity, and among
those present were school principals and
teachers.
The meeting was called to order by
President Mrs. Charles R. Fletcher. She
introduced Mr.. Scudder, who proceeded
to talk upon the value Of Fairgrounds.
He presented figures and facts proving
that Fairgrounds are necessity IN ev-
cry stage of life. He said that they are
especially necessary With pubhc
schools, as has been proved by the fact
that schools supplemented with play
grounds have fourished to much
greater degree than have those without.
Mr.. Scudder went on to show how the
playground itself may not be used by
every child in community, but how
its use by large percentage OF the
children of community will lmDue
playfulness in all the children and they
will wake up to life really natural.
Some will learn games at the pubic
grounds, which will be spread through
out the community, and In such way,
clean and healthful games will prevail
and spread.
Mr.. Scudder is one of the leaders in
the playground movement today he
advocates their establishment in every
community on the globe. He recon-
mends their establishment in trades,
factories, lodges, Sunday schools and
various other institutions; in fact, be-
cause play, which is recreation, forms
so important part of our earthly ex-
istence, that it should be introduced In
every phase Of life. The adult when he
comes from his daily toll, sits around In
the evening and reads or tells stories
and that is his play or recreation. Man
ual training departments In our schools,
the speaker stated, farnish recreation.
The speaker quoted from Joseph Lee,
the well known millionaire phfianthro-
pist, of Boston, who stated "Play is not
q luxury. but necessity" And so
on,'' said Mr.. Scudder, Learning to
play well, teaches us to work well. -
Mr.. Scudder explained the playground
movement from its inauguration. He
said the first association was formed in
Washington of seventeen members, of
which former President Theodore
Roosevelt was made honor president
and today holds the same position. Mr..
Lee is the president. The organization
has grown wonderfully, there now being
$50 communities with public play
grounds. 1S4 cities have established
them at an average cost Of 1884.
The cost of maintenance is not 80
great and varies in various communi-
ties. In New York it is four cents for
every person; in Pittsburg, seven
cents; in Baltimore, nine cents; in Chi
cago, twenty-nine and in East Orange
thirty-nine cents, which is highest of
all
The speaker elaborated upon the fact
that a play director is very essential
These, be asserted, could be secured at
cost of from sixty to seventy dollars
month. OF course, the more money
expended, the better service could be
secured He added that there was no
time like the present for proceeding
with the project, if a. community has it
under consideration, for ground will
never be cheaper than it is at present
The location Of the playground must
also be considered for children will
not go more than half mile to play
ground. The games to be played there
are the easiest matter of the PROPOSE
ton. With a director in charge, many
kinds Of games can be played to good
advantage. "For instance,' the speak
er stated, there are eighteen different
games that can be played with the bean
bag
Views were shown in the course Of
the lecture indicating how children
amuse themselves at Fairgrounds, pub
lie and private, small and big and rich
and cheaply constructed.
Mr. Scudder told of the various ex-
ercises derived from games and explain
ed why baseball is the most popular
outdoor sport in America He stated
running and jumping hitting and throw
ing, embrace the three actions which
persons most desire. Baseball includes
all three, hence its popularity. In CON
clusion, Mr. Seudder stated that the
sentiment in favor of the playground is
overwhelming.
He was accorded rising vote Of
thanks. Miss Vaughan, Mrs. Hommann
and Miss Mccormick were appointed a
committee of three to confer with the
president regarding the election Of
state officers.
Skating and Basketball tonight at
Auditorium.