Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1912-12-05
ARONSON DEFIES MAYOR:
WILL REOPEN GROUNDS
Continued from First Pass.)


playground system Is shown to be
one of the best of its kind in the
United States. Convincing proof OF
this will be brought home to the citi-
zens of Newark whep the survey is
made by the National Playground
Association.
Los Angeles Copied from Newark.
THAT we have accomplished won-
derful results with meagre facilities
and insufficient appropriations is
demonstrated by comparison with
playground work in other cities. The
city of Los Angeles, Cal, started its
playground system about the same
time we did. 1t has always kept In
close touch with our work here and
has modelled its management after
ours, copies our activities and fol-
lowed US in a general plan Of work.
The city of Los Angeles has been
more generous In providing proper
recreation houses. That city last
year appropriated $4,000 for the
maintenance and operation of its six
play places; Newark appropriated
$4,000 for its six play places. Los
Angeles paid out In salaries alone
last year to its playground workers
300. At no time since the Newark
playground system was established
has the city ever provided sufficient
funds for their proper equipment and
operation.
I'VE have been compelled to use old,
decayed and insanitary tenement
houses for recreation centres. In vain
have we applied each year at the
making up of the annual budget for
money to replace these tumbled down
and insanitary houses with proper
recreation centres. We allowed them
To stand in all their wretchedness, in
order that the young people might at
least have roof to shelter them. We
hoped, year after year, that the next
year would see a change of heart in
the administration, toward the needs
Of the young people of our city.
''In view of these facts. and in Wow
of the fact that I have devoted the
best energies in me to the playground
work of Newark since 1906, l fail to
understand why this bitter and relent-
less attack should be made upon the
men who have worked SO hard. There
Is no warrant for the assertion in
your letter implying improper meth
ods and loose management with re-
spect to the conduct of Fairgrounds
Some of our best Fairgrounds have
been obtained without cost to the city.
/ might mention that the Prince street
| playground represents a saving to the
city of more than $4,000 in rentals.
enclose a copy of a letter of the exec
utor of the estate controlling that
property, attesting to his fact. The
city has never paid dollar for the
use OF the Lafayette street ground,
yet the children have had il for the
last three years. The city has never
paid dollar for the use Of Cooper's
oval, yet we have been using 1t on
and off as an unofficial playfield for
several years. The city had the free
use of the plot in South Twelfth street
during the spring and summer season,
without cost to the city. For two
years we have been offered the use,
without cost to the city, Of plot at
Ogden and Oriental streets. We have
been unable to give the people of that
neighborhood a playground because
! the administration would not give US
money to properly equip and operate
maintained and operated summer
camps for playground young people,
without cost to the city.
These camps provided fresh air,
health and wholesome recreation to
hundreds of boys, but the city did
not pay for their maintenance. These
are only few of the many instances
to be cited showing how we have
eeononized, how we have managed
and how we have through labor,
money and sacrifice built up a play
ground system OF which Newark has
every reason TO be proud. In this
connection l wish to pay tribute to
DIR. Joseph C. Froelich, one of my
colleagues. Since his connection with
the board Commissioner Froelich has
been most faithful and conscientious
in the performance of his duties. He
has ever been ready and willing at
all times when called upon to do his
share of the work, and frequently
did SO at great PERSONAL sacrifice. He
has made a serious study of the play
ground problem and his services were
becoming more valuable to the city
every day. I regret to learn that he
has been harassed into sending his
resignation as commissioner.
''Mr. Mayor, this attack upon the
city Fairgrounds of Newark is a
shameful thing. There is not an in
telligent man or woman in the city
who does not understand that this
attack is based upon political re-
| venge. The shameful thing is that
the little chill 1ren should be made
the victims of political conspiracy.
ITO comply with your request TO
resign as playground commissioner,
under these conditions, would be I'M
possible You and your administra-
ton are responsible for these con-
ditions. l will not resign. If you
wish to remove me you must make
charges against me, and, further
more, you must prove those charges
before / can be removed.
"As president of the Board of Play.
ground Commissioners, l will call a
meeting today. l will inform my col
leagues that we have funds to con-
tinue our work, and / will insist that
the Fairgrounds be reopened imme-
= Il.