Evening journal., 1910-06-24
Sends d Message TO Coun-
Gil Along With the Re-
port of Jerome B. Bell,
Delegate TO the Play
grounds Congress

u 0efefee4 -RAA ~ S<R
Jerome b. Bell. who was delegate,
along with Peter j. Ford. Edward
Mack and Miss Elizabeth Talley TO
the Playground Congress In Rochester
last night submitted TO City Council a
comprehensive report OF the Congress
and Of what other cities are doing
I'm the way OF providing Fairgrounds.
The report shows that Wilmington IS
tagging behind cities of It's class in the
Fairgrounds movement
Mayor Spruance sent q message TO
Council commencing Mr. Bell's report.
and recommending that the city act
promptly in procuring land for base
ball grounds and for play purposes
wherever practicable. Mayor Spruance's
message was as follows.
THE President and Members Of Coun-
Gil Wilmington. Del
Gentlemen: ] have the honor to
enclose herewith the report Of Jerome
y. Bell. Esquire, in behalf Of the dele
gates appointed by me TO attend the
Fourth Annual Playground Congress
Of America. held In Rochester. New
York. June 9TH 10 10TH 1870 and to
which delegation your honorable body
appropriated the sum of one hundred
dollars toward their actual expenses.
Mr. Bell anneXes TO his report an item
ized statement of his expenses. which
is the average expense incurred by
each delegate In connection with the
matter Of public Fairgrounds, ! have
the honor to make the following com
ments and recommendations, viz:
"The cities represented az this Play
ground Congress were divided into
three classes Wilmington being in
the third class as this city Is almost
wholly lacking in supervised play
ground facilities.
"Holyoke, Mass. East Orange N. j..
New Rochelle. N. Y, Harrisburg. Pa,
and many other cities of population
about equal 20 On city, are appropriat-
ing from 100000 TO 100000 dollars an
nually for Fairgrounds
Where there is a lack Of public
land in the congested parts of the
cities, the yards of public schools are
! thrown open, and i'm many instances
! the proper and healthful playground
paraphernalia is placed therein. II
will be noted that the number Of cities
having no Fairgrounds is compare
/ lively small.
u would respectfully recommend
| that the city act promptly in procur.
ing land for baseball grounds in tn,
different parts of the city. where the
same is obtainabe, and also to pro.
cure as many Fairgrounds as practi'
cable.
1T occurs to me that the area of
the different wards should, TO a grea
extent. govern the number and loca.
ton of these grounds, especially the
larger tracts. As you gentlemen are
well aware, tho Firth. Seventh. Ninti
and Twelfth wards are from three t'
six times as large as some of thu
other wards.
II would also respectfully recon-
mend that where practicable, play
grounds be added TO the dineren
schools From an economical as wei
as from a good government point o
view, IL would be of great value t'
the city of Wilmington In th'
future and the immediate future
certainly-to provide numerous out-of.
door Fairgrounds for the children. Thil
will not only make stronger men, botl
morally and physically but IL will ten'
to improve the whole moral tone of th'
community. teaching our youth TO iea'
cleaner and more healthful lives.
would reduce immeasurably, in my
opinion. the expenses Of the Police De
partment Of our city, and save man
hundreds of our youth the disgrace o
first appearance i'm the Municipal ant
state Courts. Consequently the Who'll
! tone OF our boys and young men /
raised. they will naturally become bet
ter citizens in more material way
! that is produce more and do NOR
for the beneht and welfare of our cit
and their fellow citizens. II woul
have a tendency to get the young peo
ple out Of the courts and alleys, an
when once out, they viii not return
j "There was a time within the mem
e orv of us all when a large portion q
/ the vacant lots were used by our yout
for their games and revels, but sine
the city has practically no vacant io'
/ within. our youth are compelled TO 3
to the outskirts for their amusemen
: consequently q large percentage VIII
are too young, or compelled to renal
al home by their parents, have n
place TO amuse themselves except o
\ the sidewalks and In the streets Tn
, results i'm accidents, and from a nee
e OF more liberty and fewer restriction
n some of them learn to break the law
a and restrictions Of our city A child (
) nature demands outdor exercise and
g, certain amount Of freedom
. II therefore believe that in grow
, ing and practically built-up city sue
= as ours there should be no time lo
i'm the playground movement Whi
e l recognize the fact that this city
d not now in a position financially
IT buy outright land suitable for plal
o grounds. yet. at the same time wou
II respectfully urge upon your honorao
body the necessity Of securing optiol
l. wherever practicable on land for IN
purpose. Even if some OF the land