New-York tribune., 1910-12-28
OUR CITY Fairgrounds
Efficiency Before Extension Keynote OF
Leagues Work.

| To the Editor OF Inc IflDune
! Sir: I have learned Of Mr.. Bradstreet
method Of attacking the City Playground
League by writing to the officers. honorary
members and advisory board for the pur-
! pose of presenting arguments to defend his
course Of action Is 1t possible that on one
man may depend the life or death Of such
an important movement as the playground
There was a mass meeting held recently
| to which Mr.. Bradstreet and Mr.. StoVer
were invited. as well as all who were
known to be interested in Fairgrounds. TO
discuss this subject of vital Importance.
Unfortunately. this was held at such short
notice that many were obliged to send re-
grets. Mr.. Bradstreet was represented by
a friend. as he did not attend. who read
paper. such as he sent to those interested
In our league. This delegate was forced to
admit at the meeting that the weakest
point of this plan was that no efficient man
ior woman would consider holding such
position permanently without knowing just
what the yearly salary would be-
There were other weak points, which
should be apparent to those who are ia
miliar with Fairgrounds:
First-The value Of winter work is under
estimated, or, rather, not appreciated in the
least The child coming from school needs
opportunity for play in the fresh air and
sunshine. 1t is not enough merely to nave
tho opportunity; there should be strong
incentive.
Second-Mr. Bradstreet's computation that
full salary is now paid for working three
sevenths of the time is absurd. No regular
Kindergarten would accept such salary
with such hours as our park Fairgrounds
system now offers. With a per diem system
and uncertain yearly salary. and the neces-
sity for putting up with hardships, 1 MAIN
tain that no efficient person will remain
long except through an unusually deep mis-
sionary interest; and length OF time In ser
vice largely determines efficiency.
Third-College students may be useful IT.
exhibition work, for short periods of time,
but that Is not what the league stands for
Spectacular display" may be advantageous
In winning applause, but it is not for the
cfildren's benefit.
Fourth-There is gross nisstatement In
Mr.. Bradstreet's paper. He said that the
proposed schedule gave s2 a day to assist
ants and 8 to leaders. He distinctly stated
at the conference that the summer work
ers alone would receive s., and that all
but three of those now working, some Of
whom have served seven years. may expect
after January l S. a week. He suggested
that the teachers have meeting and send
committee to meet the Committee on Sal
aries of the Board of Aldermen, but in re-
sporse to a query refused to say who these
were or when they met.
Fiftll-Ilat in the first budget request
graded yearly salaries were asked would
seem to prove that such system was
thought desirable. That the desired amount
was not received $500 more was given
than last Year, does not justify this blow
at the efficiency of the whole system.
Sixth-That the college students and
others temporarily employed last summer
were not efficient was amply proved to
many living nea- and seeing for themselves.
The City Playground League stands for
efficiency first and extension next
We trust that the next mass meeting will
be attended by all who are really anxious
that the city children shall have their right
full chance for outdoor play, summer and
winter. MARY MCOMBER,
President Of the City Playground League.
BroOklyn Dec 2S 1910