The Press., 1912-10-23

order to encourage on the part of young people taste for the beauties of nature and an appreciation of the of country life. He could thus make of the park such an att tractive spot that the young people would wish to spend their time there instead of at the saloons or on the street, or in the case of others, in the complaint that there was nothing to do in this town '' He might have apartments in the mansion house on the park, and, if married, his wife might act as hostess on occasions that demanded it. Better still, perhaps, would be the practice of asking pub lie spirited ladies to be present on such occasions to extend the hospital ity of the town to it's people. The woman's clubs might be expected to help in this respect. The play di- rector should have executive ability, and be able to use and direct such volunteer work as people would be willing to give in helping make the park and the house the recreation center of the town. The. possibility of a gymnasium in the house, or the barn, is suggested. Existing clubs for recreation or social or civic work might have their meeting place in the house. These suggestions are made with the understanding that the ques- tion is still undecided whether the high school may not be moved into the building, and they are adaptable in either case. By changing the present method of heating, by drop ping ceilings, and by adopting modern ways of making the house comfort able, details which will readily suggest themselves to the practical business men on the commission, - they are perhaps possible, or at least suggestive of other plans that would be better. The salary of such play director should be commensurate with adequate training and experience. He should be selected with great care, and positive proof of his good char. acter and of his capacity for social leadership, as we'll as of his technical knowledge of his calling, should be obtained. If it is not possible for the park commission to bear the ex- pense of this salary and the small budget for running expenses inevitable under such a leader, it is suggested that he be employed jointly by the school committee and the Hyde Park commission. In that case part of his time might be given to calisthenics in the school buildings throughout the town, to organizing teams for athletics a program of recess activities which should be carried on in cooperation with the teachers If the natural exuberance on the part of the children is not properly guided and the bodies and minds healthily occupied by work and trade in the right proportion, it may be found in Stafford, as in other towns, that wrong standards of morals exist. A program of plays, which the school teachers could carry out at re- cess and lunch hour, would probably
 involve the setting of certain stand ards of efficiency in physical exercise, in track athletics and in folk dancing, and periodical trying out competitions between all the schools, or certain schools, and the adoption of the Gath letic badge test'' and the methods in
 use all over the country by Public Schools Athletic Leagues. To revert again to the use of the mansion house as a recreation center, I would sug- gest that it's equipment and furnishing be not undertaken before the play di- rector is employed. After he has had opportunity to look about, and, in consultation with your commission, has decided how to start the work, he might be expected to suggest what is needed to carry out the plans. It would probably be found best to go slowly in this matter, not spending money for equipment till there should be reasonable proof that it would be used sufficiently to justify it's pur- chase. I should recommend a simple beginning, with a promise of better and completer equipment as that al ready existing was appreciated and used. There should be small fees for the use of the building which would Io 01~ oAoS Tn oo%+ of tail relating to the conduct of such a recreation center it would doubtless be of practical value to inquire into the methods of the Young Mems Christian Association.
 Before these plans, if they appeared feasible, could be put into operation it would seem we'll to consider the wisdom of discontinuing the use of the swimming pool unless it were pos sible to employ a matron to oversee the children at their sport, and to look after the girls in dressing rooms to be opened in the house or barn. l would earnestly recommend that the pool be not used again until such dressing rooms, with a woman care- taker, were provided.
 Hyde Park Extension would make a fine athletic field, where the. older boys and girls of the schools at Hyde vile, the Hollow, Staffordville and the Street, as well as the young people, might practice and hold their competitive meets, under the super vision of the play director. The tract is naturally pretty one and would seem to need no great outlay of money on artificial gardening. It is possible that part of gthe money available from the funds invested for the benefit of the Extension might
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