The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-03

any given length OF time excepting
the weather mani than any individuals
in this city. They stated that although
effort to provide for the children who
were being pushed out into the streets.
During the summer a kindergarten was
held in the basement of the Paul Hayne
school, with satisfactory results. In 1910,
however 1t was decided, at my suggestion,
to discontinue the indoor school and have
an outdoor playground if possible as fresh
air was what the children needed. Across
the street from the school there was va
cant lot, and after a great amount of
labor this lot was gotten into condition to
play on. Then 1t was discovered that
there was no shade, and as the children
could not play in the sun, large tent
was rented and games were held in this
for three months"
| In speaking of Neighborhood house. Miss
Hall said that they had made an effort
to get the playground association to
| lect their place as playground but the
lot being too small, the effort was fail
ure. Following this they decided to equip
the grounds themselves. The Church of
the Advent donated a sand pile, DR.. New
fields Sunday school a swing, and a see
saw was given by group of South High
land children. Their desire, she stated,
is to have Neighborhood house play
grounds taken over by the city.
Harry Miles, representing Behrens park,
was the next speaker to be introduced lie
said that the opening of the Behrens play
ground on July was attended by about
25 persons. The average daily attend
ance now is about 200. He also gave a
short history of the forming of the Behr-
ems Park Playground association, and
of the hope to equip the park with regula-
tion playground apparatus.
| tot q
OF the Birmingham Equal Suffrage asso-
citation and the, Music Study club, fol-
| low ed Mr.. Miles on the programme.
1.-The best way to human betterment.'
stated Mrs. Hundley emphatically, is
through the Fairgrounds. This state
ment was greeted with loud applause. In
conclusion she promised that she would
aid in the playground movement and
would solicitate the support of the Equal
| Suffrage association.
| Blanks Everett, assistant secretary or
the Chamber of Commerce, followed Mrs.
Hundley and made a humorous speech.
Settle Reads Ordinance
| T. S. Settle, field secretary of the Ma
| tional Recreation Association of America,
was the next speaker He pointed out
| difficulties which may arise and gave Ill
| rections as how to overcome them. He
stated that now is the time to begin
| lowing important steps must be taken to
assure complete success, first, to organize
a vigorous playground association, an as
sociation that will bring together all the
interests which are promoting the reerea-
tional movement, and second, the organ
| izing of a city department of recreation.
Following this he then presented the fol-
lowing ordinance which was drawn UP by
City Attorney Boyd:
"Be it ordained by the board of commits
sioners of the city of Birmingham:
Sec l. That there be and is hereby
created and established in the city II
Birmingham a department to be known
as the department of public recreation.
Sec. Q That this department shall be IL
charge of a superintendent of recreation.
who shall give his entire time to the work,
and such assistants as the city commission
SHALL from time to time appoint.
"Sec. 8. That the superintendent of
recreation and his assistants shall be ap-
pointed by the city commission, and shah
] hold office at the pleasure of the COM
mission.
"(2) They shall receive such salary as
the commission may from time to time TX.
"(3) The superintendent of recreation
shall execute a bond with some RESPONSE
| BILE guaranty company for the faithful
performance of his duties which shall he
payable to the city of Birmingham, for
the sum of $4,000.
"Sec. A. That the department OF
recreation shall have the power to and
| 1t shall be it's duty to create, organize
| conduct and supervise Fairgrounds,
nubIic baths. evening recreation cen
| ters. concerts, celebration of holidays
and all other matters pertaining there
IN and relating to the recreational well
fare of the people of Birmingham.
"(2D 1t shall encourage and promote
wholesome home recreation.
Rnf~nf fa
board of education. the library board
and all other public and private or
ganizations that are providing recre-
alton for the people of Birmingham.
To Study Needs of City
"(4) 1t shall make a thorough study
of the recreation needs of the city,
and it's various recreational facllit1es'
and shall endeavor to utilize these fa-
cilities to their full capacity to meet
the peoples recreational needs
"(5.) 1t shall make Investigations
from time to time to learn what re-
creation Is being furnished by other
departments or organizations In order
to prevent duplication and waste.
"Sec 5. 1t shall use for conducting
its work and activities
"G) Such park property or other
citv property as the commission may
from time to time set aside or pro-
vide
"(2) Also by and with the consent
of the board of education such school
buildings, premises and property as
may be suitable and desirable.
"(3.) Also by and with the consent
of the owners such private property as
may be suitable and desirable.
"Sec. g. The city commission shall
make such appropriations for the main
tenance of the department as 1T deems
proper.
This department is authorized and
empowered for and on behalf of the
said city to receive and accept gifts
from private persons, organizations or
corporations, for the purposes set forth
| in section 4, provided such gifts are
! first approved by the city commission.
Keeps Record
1.-THE superintendent of public recra-
| tion shall keep a complete record of all
moneys. property, gifts, ETC., received
by said party, and shall make written
report of same to the commissioner or
| streets and parks at the end OF each
month, showing in detail the list of all
such moneys, property, gifts, ETC., re-
| ceived by said department during such
month, and how such moneys. property,
! gifts etc, We're expended
| In concluding his address Mr.. Settle
stated that $4,000 was needed to start
! a playground department, $4,000 for
! equipments and supervisors, $4,000 for
summer work and $4,000 for winter
| work.
/