The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-17
regular schedule of work in these de-
partments had to be abandoned.
Had Tar Meek.

Had Tag Week.
Money Is necessary to carry on any
enterprise. and in August the commit
tee began t o cast about for ways and
means to meet its financial obligations.
A field meet, with a regular admit
tance fee. was not to be considered.
for We have risen above the idea OF
c%apitalizing local sport. and believe.
with the supervisor. that all play
ground activities are for the public.
So, when the rains had ceased and
the skies were serene. arrangements
were made for a tag week. to term
mate in a field meet with Drayton.
But. as usual. man proposed and the
weather man disposed. The day broke
with the promise Of rain. which was
later fulfilled. so that 1t was a very
wet blanket indeed which tucked away
the last day Of the playground season.
Two Years Results.
After two years experience in play
ground work, what are the concrete
results? In the first place a spirit Of
fair play has been developed. This
manifests itself in different ways, par
ticularly in the recognition of individ-
trudes his presence on the play.
grounds. Then. there is a quickened
sense of moral responsibility that is
most gratifying. The language COM
mon among a certain class of boys a
year ago merited the criticism it re-
ceived. But when comment is made
on the infrequency Of profanity on the
streets Of our little city today. and the
oath is never heard on the play
New standards of ~self-control have
been established by playground discip-
line.
Spirit Of Unity.
But perhaps the most important re-
suit is the spirit of unity which has
been developed. When the boy plays
in the street 1t is every boy for him.
self; when on the playground. he sub
mits his individuality to the welfare
Of the group. This was illustrated in
a peculiar way last summer. Every
body knows that a boy must swim.
There are but two swimming pools
near Grafton, the more desirable one
lying in the woods belonging to the
state institution for feeble minded.
The conduct Of the boys in the past
has been questionable, but this year it
the superintendent. was forced to for
bid them the privileges Of the woods
which meant the use Of the river.
Many of these boys were patrons Of
the public playground. They consult
ed with the supervisor. and, acting up
on his advice, a committee Of boys
waited upon DR.. Wylie to adjust the
matter. A set of rules was adopted,
and a leader selected who became re-
others. All boys desiring to use the
swimming hole were obliged to sign
these rules. Over sixty enrolled. A
per capita assessment Of rs cents was
levied for the purchase Of nails and
lumber. and, under the direction Of
the supervisor Of the Fairgrounds. the
boys built a bath house and spring
board. 1t is a remarkable fact that
not once was a.single rule broken. The
boys had given their word of. honor
for gentlemanly behavior. and they
kept faith with themselves and DR..
Wylie. They played fair for mutual
benefit. but unconsciously they were
learning a respect for the law which
will make them better citizens in
years to come.
Start Fairgrounds.
A group of social workers wrote to
the police matron Of a neighboring
city for suggestions along the lines Of
civic work. The answer came prompt
ly, start Fairgrounds" This is the
message I would bring o today. No
town Is too small, no community too
poor to have its public playground.
Like all other big things, It is simple
children is ~incalculable. II Juvenile
delinquency is largely the result of a
lack Of wholesome outlet for youth
full energy. the plea for public play
grounds is the plea for Justice to the
boy. The future Of a nation depends
on its children. Let US. then. through
the playground movement. stimulate
such ideals Of life as may help them
to become strong. moral and efficient
men and women.