Evening star., 1912-11-12
year and shows that notwithstanding the

y
growth Of the work of the library, the
appropriation for its maintenance has
been decreased instead Of increased.
Three recommendations are made
that the Board Of Trade urge much more
generous appropriations for increasing the
force and salaries of the Public Library
employees: that the salary of the librarian
be increased. and that provision be made
for the establishment Of additional branch
libraries in various sections of the city
and District, in acceptance Of Mr.. Carne-
gies offer within the very near future
such extension being conditioned on am
pie appropriation for the proper main
tenance and development of the present
library plant.
Increase in Police.
''The committee on public order calls
serious attention to the necessity for in
creasing the police officers of the city.
It points to the almost phenomenal
growth Of the suburban sections within
the past few years and the necessity Of
additional protection by increasing the
force.
For more than a year the police and
firemen's pension fund has had no ade-
quate provision. The Board of Trade
should not for a moment diminish it's ef-
forts to cause proper provision by Con-
gress for those who protect at great risk
to themselves our lives and property
Il would also call attention to the ne
cessity for high pressure water supply.
In accordance with congressional drec-
ton, the Commissioners reported on this
question since our last annual meeting, and
I may say, to our very general surprise,
adversely. taking the ground that the
insurance companies would not lower
their rates IL the high pressure system
we're installed. The Commissioners appar-
emily overlooked the question most vital
to the property owner, added security.
Fairgrounds Movement.
1.-TWO movements vitally affecting the
younger generation which ought to be, II
they are not, Of special Importance and
interest to members of the Board OF
Trade are those of public Fairgrounds
and boy scouts. I desire greatly at this
time to direct the attention Of the Board
Of Trade to these two imp ortant matters.
Twenty years ago Fairgrounds were
and towns have acquired supervised play
grounds. Their value Is self-ev1dent to
the Board Of Trade. The municipalities
are giving the matter of recreation seri-
GUS consideration, with the result that
in many cities a department of recrea-
ton has been established. which has
charge not only OF the recreation Of the
children, but the recreation Of the grown
up as well.
LET me suggest to our committee on
parks and reservations it's consideration
of a policy to be urged upon Congress of
owning all Fairgrounds in the District.
Swimming pools should be provided in
the different sections Of the city 50 that
the boys may be kept away from the
canal and the river. These should be
located within easy access Of their homes
and in such places as they can best be
looked after.
"The Boy Scout movement should be
administered by the government just as
the Fairgrounds are administered. The
movement has been recognized as COM
munity asset It is the community's
greatest opportunity to reach the boy for
good citizenship. The scout movement is
such that the boy is at once led to feel
the community's interest in him. not only
in his school life, but In his leisure hours
as well.