The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-02

enicieu. boys and girls. who need
such work most. may feel that they
can contribute to the success OF their
school.
More Things for Him to DO.
Public school athletic leagues have
been organized by the cooperation Oh
such recreation superintendents ana
physical training leaders IN dinerent
cities. These leagues are formed FOR
track athletics, baseball contests.
basketball contests and series OF
games Of all kinds.
The recreation superintendent Will
have TO cooperate with many private
agencies in the city Of Richmond
Every private agency which furnishes
wholesome recreation 20 any number OF
children and young people Is so much
of an asset TO the city. The recreation
superintendent Will have to fnd out
from these private agencies just what
children and young people they are
reaching and how much recreation
they are furnishing in order that he
may see that public recreation does
not duplicate that furnished by pri-
children and young people who need
IL most, and in cases where part OF the
recreation only is furnished by private
agencies. that public recreation pos
sibilities reach the children and young
people at times when they are not
being taken care of BY private agencies
In some cities the recreation super
intendent co-operates with private
agencies in arranging their summer
camps. and has a clearing house for
fresh air work, in order TO see that
the benefits generously offered by pri
waite philanthropy reach the children
who. need il most. that some children
DO not have three and four times az
much vacation in the country as 9th
ers who need il equally as much
Public Amusements.
The recreation superintendent viii
have to cooperate with the different
public authorities IN securing whole
some commercial recreation in the
theatres. moving picture shows and
public game places. Recreation is not
bad because 1, IS sold for money. any
more than butter and canned fruits
are bad because they are sold for
money. But Just as the government
has TO see that the butter and canned
goods sold 10 the public are of a
wholesome quality. so the city has to
see that the recreation furnished 20
these children and young people is Of
clean and wholesome quality. This is
a tremendous problem In Richmond.
as elsewhere, when the weekly attend
a.nce of children and young people
under twenty-five years of age runs
up to forty and afty thousand every
week.
The recreation superintendent will
also have TO study special recreation
conditions In different parts Of the
city in order to meet special needs. A
recreation survey was made last spring
and covers thoroughly the general out
line on which the work is TO be built
Up, but the recreation superintendent
and his assistants VIII have to study
special groups OF working boys and
girls TO and out just how much time
they have each week for recreation
how much is spent away from the over
sight of parents or wholesome private
agencies. Just where are the hang
outs" the ng-gathering places and
what IS gong on at tnese nang outs.
On the basis Of these facts in regard
TO definite groups OF the children and
young people. he will have to plan
special forms OF recreation TO NEE;
those special needs.
These are only some OF the duties
Of recreation superintendent IN
Richmond. 1t is no wonder that those
most interested feel that II is not q
case Of having any difficulty in fnd-
ing something for him to do. They fee
that the nature Of the work lie so I'm
portant. and the Influence on the wei
fare Of children and young people SO
vital. that the success OF the extension
@. recreation work that is planned de-
ponds very largely on the recreation
superintendent