The Detroit times., 1912-03-26
PLAYGROUND IS MOST
EFFECTIVE RIVAL OF THE
SALOON, SAYS sOcI0tOGtST
Br. Fl. c. Curtis BecfafeFeS
Must Count On 1t as
Social Insurance
IS coUNTRY's GREAT NEED
National Secretary Delivers AID
dress To 0lvet Students
on Interesting Question

OLIvET. Mich, March 26.--Assert.
ling that the playground is the most
effective rival of the saloon and that
timely expenditure for playground
purposes will save a vast amount OF
cost i'm other directions, DIR. Henry c.
Curtis national secretary OF the Play
grounds Association OF America. gave
an interesting speech on The ecS-
nomic value OF Fairgrounds, before
the Olivet economics class.
DR.. Curtis. who makes his home AT
Olivet, is leading figure in the play
ground movement which Is becoming
such q factor in the cities problems.
The city may rightly count an ex.
penditure for Fairgrounds as social
Insurance" said Dr.. Curtis. The play
ground secretary bases the above
statement on the fact that at the pres
ent time there Is a general social un-
rest, a dissatisfaction OF the laboring
classes over the economic and social
conditions OF their lives. They are
beginning to realize anu insist that
they are entitled TO life worth the
living. Where the children are forced
20 play in the streets and their play
Is constantly interrupted, and their
lives endangered By automobiles and
other vehicles. they fail to secure the
pleasure which should be obtained
from normal play and they are embit-
tered against the things which de
prive them of the opportunity to So
cure this enjoyment.
DIR. Curtis said further: Anything
which makes citizens proud OF their
I'll nd INx,o ~ 4 rs oh lx a 10
The Fairgrounds are the pride of all
OF the citizens or any city. II II Is
possible to purchase the loyalty OF
citizens with the price OF play
ground. then the price Is indeed cheap.
Cities spend vast sums in advertising
and other ways to attract people to
their community. They do not seem
10 realize that 1t il just as important
and valuable to. keep the people they
have as TO bring others In. Play
grounds assist In making all the peo-
pie of a city satisfied with their
homes. IL peoples children are we'll
cared for and happy the people them.
selves are usually contented and will
ing and eager to remain"
According TO the playground expert
the average city of less than 100000
spends 100000 going TO summer re-
sorts and into the country every sum-
mer. They go to secure suitable
playground for their children and ii
that Is already provided for in their
home city they will not, as rule,
leave their homes. At least one-tenth
of them would -femain and one-tenth
of the 100000 would save four times
the amount necessary TO build the
playground.
Great success has attended the
building OF Fairgrounds In Chicago.
When the city expended $4.000,000 for
Fairgrounds, seven years ago, the
people were amazed and Mortified at
the great outlay OF the citys money.
Since that time 100000 more has
been expended and an annual appro-
priation of 100000 Is made TO main
tain the system. IL would cost the
city OF Chicago 100000 to give each
person In the city ticket to a single
vaudeville entertainment. yet all OF
the people can 60 to the Fairgrounds
Tor an entire year for that sum"
The reform schools. juvenile courts |
and other instruments for the direc. !
tion OF misguided youth" says DR.. |
Curtis, would not be necessary IL the !
nation as a whole would adopt the |