Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1911-06-01
FAIRGROUNDS
ARE ASSURED
City VIII Have I've Within
Year Even Though They
Are Small.
SPEECHES At BANQUET
Secretary Haynes Views
Available Sitss--WIll Make
Address In High School.

playground movement, which was
given decided impetus yesterday, the
city will have one or two OF them
within the next year. The urgent
need of suitable recreation grounds
for children and adults was broached
at banquet of the Playground Com
mission, city officials with Field Sec
retary Roland 8. Haynes, OF the
Playground Association of America,
and others in the Packer House last
night. Yesterday afternoon Mr..
Haynes with two members of the
Playground Commission, went about
the city looking up available grounds.
They are out again today and at
$3.50 this afternoon Mr.. Haynes will
address school children On the sub
ject of Fairgrounds in the high
school auditorium.
Start On Small Scale.
1t seems to be the desire OF the
city fathers to start on a small scale
with the Fairgrounds that residents
may gain an insight in the project
and be convinced of their practicable
lity and usefulness before much
money Is expended According to
the talks given last night the alder
men seem in favor OF the idea, but
want 1t started In a small way, with
small appropriation, as was the
shade tree project. Then larger ap-
preparations could be made later
when the need of Fairgrounds be-
came apparent, the city fathers say.
Alderman r. A. Seaman said that II
| the commission expected $1,000 or
800 he doubted whether they
would get it. On the other hand, he
said, it would probably be better that
| the commissioners go ahead and PIT
pare plans of what Is needed, prepa e
statement of needs and lay this be-
fore the Board of Aldermen with a
request for set sum.
| Mr.. Haynes Speaks.
| Mr.. Haynes gave q detailed talk
on Fairgrounds at the conclusion of
! the banquet. He went on to demon
strate their usefulness towards pre-
venting disease and educating the
coming generation. He declared
Fairgrounds made better children
and consequently improved coming
generations. Tt Thh5 benefit derived from
Fairgrounds were declared to be in
evidence everywhere that they have
l
way that pavements were visible, he
declared He declared n1untcipaH-
ties liked to put money into bright
new pavements, but said the I'M
provement of the precious product
| (children), was far more important
and the fruits would be visible in
time. He declared facts have proven
that Fairgrounds are less expensive
than jails, which is the decision of
more than 336 cities. Within two
years 246 cities established play
grounds and at the present time
nearly 200 cities are conducting
playground campaigns. In 201 cities
there are 1924 Fairgrounds.
Mr.. Haynes said there were three
| important items Of cost, viz, place,
supervision and equipment. In some
instances, he declared, ground had
been donated by wealthy residents,
as in one instance in st. Antonio,
| Texas, where large memorial play
ground has been established in that
way Supervision, Mr.. Haynes deem
| ed one of the most important sub
| jects In connection with play
grounds. He urged the best kind of
supervision, which has proved the
least expensive and best in the end.
He declared competent supervisor
would accomplish as much good with
1850 as an incompetent man would
with $500 In many instances two
thirds of the money intended for the
project should be invested in a good
supervisor. He stated two superyis-
ors and caretaker were really need
ed; one head supervisor, man for
educating older boys and adults, and
another, woman, for taking care of
children below the age of eight
years. Salaries OF supervisors range
from 500 to s125 month and
about s75 month for his assistant.
He stated $500 plus the price of
the lease would run a playground
we'll for summer. Two grounds,
he stated, would cost a little less
than twice that amount.
DIR. Ramsay Tells OF Benefits.
DR.. William E. Ramsay gave an
excellent talk on the benefits of
Fairgrounds in their aid towards pre-
vention of disease. He declared ur-
gent use of Fairgrounds would work
wonders in the prevention of tuber-
culosis by the next generation. Fresh
air, he declared to be the most i'm
portant health scheme, inasmuch as
II cuts down infantile morality. Des-
pite the fact that the common cry Is
fer pure water, pure milk, etc, so
little attention Is paid to pure air,
which he estimated carried eighty
per cent. of eontagion, whereas
LIQUIDS only carried twenty per cent.
He declared it Just as important that
air be kept moving to prevent its be-
coming stagnant as It was to keep
water running, as in brook, to pre-
vent it from becoming stagnant and
spreading disease.
Alderman Seaman's Views.
Alderman F. A Seaman next
spoke and urged that small start
be made in the establishment of
Fairgrounds. He said property about
school No. might be tried and then
II successful, other grounds could
be established. In connection with
this he said kindergarten teacher
could supervise play during the try
out He also stated it might be a
good idea to interest heads of paro-
chial schools to get them to try the
scheme and then If successful, let the
city take 1t up. He objected to pay
ing for leases If other property could
be loaned free of charge, which he
intimated could be done. He re-
ferred to the Raritan Copper Works
field. which is now partially used as
a playground. and statef the concern