The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-12-12
SCHOOL HOUSES AS
SOCIAL CENTERS
EXCELLENT PLEA eV NATIONAL
FAIRGROUNDS ASSN OFFICIAL
A. Meeting Heid Lass Evening IN
Hish SehooI-spesks at the
Board Of Trade Tonight.

Declaring that the school house.
used and supported by the people. and
belonging 10 everyone. in the most
democratic institution In public life.
Charles 2. Weller. associate secretary
OF the National Fairgrounds and
Recreation Society or America. spoke
TO members OF the board of education
and directors OF the Wheeling PLAY.
grounds Association last evening at =
meeting held in the high school on
the subject The School House as a
Social Center" Mr.. Weller addressed
the meeting In the interests OF the
movement TO use school houses as so
cial and recreation centers OF a com
munity.
Mr.. Weller said hat the schools OF
Wheeling represented a tremendous
expenditure and yet they are used
only about half the time. lie added
that people everywhere are beginning
TO realize this inc 20 use the schools
for social and recreation centers as
educational Developments. He re-
viewed what is happening in the edu-
cational movement. and what the
rural schools are doing 70 stem the
tide OF migration OF persons TO the
cities by instituting social activities
in both country and normal schools.
Told Of Other Cities.
lie described social centers and
told OF what they are accomplishing
in other cities and said that the main
thing is to nave competent leadership
teachers or supervisors TO have charge
who will follow the wishes OF the
people. He advised them TO follow
the wishes OF the people. but TO see
that the spirit OF recreation-the nat
ural activities inc not the compul-
sorry activities-is the spirit hat al
ways prevails.
Wheeling has made rapid advance
ment along civic and social lines in
the last four years. declared Mr.. Wei
Ter. and also along commercial lines
The establishment OF the Associated
Charities. Fairgrounds Association
and tuberculosis League. he added.
proved that Wheeling IS paving the
way for school centers and play
grounds which will be supported by
the city as public policy. In the
mentime. he said. il is for the people
to contribute funds for the support
OF such a movement. and that they
will find that It Is a very profitable
way 10 invest II future citizenship.
Mckinley Explains.
At the close OF Mr.. Weller's address,
H. c. Mckinley. president OF the
Wheeling Fairgrounds Association,
/ explained the proposed idea OF con
verting the high school building into
a social center during some Of the
hours IL is not in use. lie said that
u is proposed TO have at least two
and perhaps three paid supervisors,
acquainted with Fairgrounds and kin
dergarten work. to be in charge OF the
building from 6 until $50 o'clock each
evening during the week.
The men and young men will or
eanize debating clubs. manual train
ing classes. and indulge in gymnastics
and games from 6 o'clock until $50
! O'Clock. while the mt and girls
will enjoy drills. light gymnasium en
e~rcises and will organize clubs and
domestic science classes.
From $50 until $3.50 o'clock each
evening il Is proposed 10 use the as
sembly hall each evening for lectures
along civic lines. The lectures are TO
be on music. art. domestic science and
other interesting subjects. which viii
be an educational value and an in
spiration 70 those who attend.
Prof. n. - Work. superintendent
of schools. and many others present
took part in the discussion OF the
proposition. This evening Mr.. Weller
will speak in the board OF trade
rooms on the same subject.