The Washington times., 1910-03-10
Association Lays Stress on
Fact Officers Are
Not Paid.
REPLY TO CRITICS
OF APPROPRIATION
VIII Direct Efforts Toward Ex-
planning Purposes to Con-
{TeSSmen.

The members Of the Washington Play-
ground AssC citation announced this
morning that they were not welded
10 the use Of the word supervision" IN
connection with the appropriation for
Fairgrounds from Congress, as indicated
in the debate on the foJr or the House
Tuesday, and know Of no reason why
Il should nUL be stricken from the con-
ference committees report.
The announcement was also made to
day, in behalf Of the association, that
there are no paid officers in the form
OF superintendent, general secretary,
etc, nor is the.e any intention on the
part OF the organization 70 employ such
persons
The administration OF the funds en-
trusted to it and the general super
vision OF the playground work. it is
stated. is entirely in the nands OF volun-
tesr workers. a fact, II Is further set
forth, which is veEy well known 10 the
frltnds of the Fairgrounds and should
be equally as well known TO the mem
bers OF Congress, as special. printed
statements TO that effect nave been sent
10 all members Of the House ana Senate.
Original Intention.
In their original contention Cor the
use Of the word supervision in the
bill, the playground advocates say they
merely wanted to be sure that acthing
could prevent the payment Of tire sala-
ries OF the watchmen and supe rvisors
Of the various grounds, as required OF
them by the rules of the War DeDart-
ment, which he's original Jurisdiction
over many Of the parks in which play
grounds have been located.
Tho employment of watchmen and
supervisors are the conditions under
which the association IS permitted the
use Of such grounds, it is stated, and
it is, therefore, regarded as highly
necessary that there should be nothing
in the appropriation bin which would
prevent the use Of some of the money
thus provided for this purpose.
Several members OF the association
called at the Capitol today and pre-
sented this information TO the members
of the various committees that will
have charge Of the bill, and also eX-
plained the difference between the play
grounds the association operates and
the open park spaces where children
may play.
Mr.. Tawney's Contention.
Chairman Tawney. OF the ApprOpri-
atiols Committee. stated IN the Hous,
that the principal objection the mem
bers of his committee had 10 play
grounds appropriations coming from the
general fund OF the Treasury was thai
the Federal Government had already
provided 10 acres Of parking IN which
the children could play. and which was
entirely maintained at the expense OF
the Federal Government
y was pointed out that a fully
equipped playground and an open park
Ing plot were entirely different institu-
uons ana that while the parking plot
was OF great value TO the children. il
could not be called a playground undSl
the definition of that sort Of thi: G
given by the association
The members OF the organization say
they realize. from the debate on the
floor of the House Tuesday that there
are only q few members who really
understand what the playground DROP.
ositlon is and what IL means TO the city
Instead OF asking for votes and tryine
20 push the appropriation through the
House committees. therefore thew say
they Will spend such time as they can
spare in explaining and demonstrating
Fairgrounds 10 the Congressman.