New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-10
CITY FAIRGROUNDS
BOOMING, SAYS LEE
Efficiency Is Greater, and This
Is the Banner Year, ST.
pervisor Declares.
COLLEGE ATHLETES HELP
More Will Take Next Examina-
tion-Girl High School Grad
yates Also to Enroll-At-
tendance 100000.

"This will be the best playground year
so far In the history of the city" was
the prophecy made yesterday by William
]. Lee, supervisor OF recreation Of the
Park Department.
To the twelve college athletes who
helped during the summer months-some
OF them theologs and medical students
Mr.. Lee gave must praise for the show
ing Through these twelve men, repre-
senting almost as many alma matters. he
let college athletes I'm general know that
he was after just such material as they
represented As a result. among the $50
applicants who will take playground civil
service examinations in the present month
the percentage of college men Is larger
than ever.
1--WE want men of that stripe" said the
supervisor yesterday. They know their
business and are efficient in every way.
The civil service examination will be
| harder than ever this time because the
ply steal test will be more emphasized
than heretofore BY getting such material
it raises the whole standard of play
ground instruction, and that is what we
are after"
A change will also prevail in rules gov
erning women applicants. Heretofore
twenty-one years has been the lowest age
limit but it has been reduced 10 eighteen
now. In explanation. Mr.. Lee said:
This will give US an opportunity to get
girls graduating from high schools. II
will give a graduate three years oppor-
tunity to support herself in a healthy,
helpful profession"
The supervisor said that at twenty-ono
too many women were thinking of get
ting married TO want To take up the
work, but at eighteen their minds were
more often bent on supporting them
selves.
Among the $50 applicants. he declared,
were a large number Of girl high school
graduates.
Two students AT the College OF Physi-
clans and Surgeons We're among the
athletes who worked during the summer
months and went back TO college at the
beginning Of the fall term. other lnsti-
tutions represented were Columbia and
the College of the City Of New York,
Dunwoodle Seminary. ST. Johns Semi
nary and Manhattan College. A number
OF high school athletes were also among
the attendants. or the athletes. one had
held honors as an interstate oarsman. The
College OF the City Of New York led with
three representatives.
This years playground attendance. ac-
cording 10 the supervisor. will reach the
6 700 marx Thirty plav centres will be
kept open this winter-more than ever be-
fore For next year the sum OF &c.,
will be available for the work. In 1910 the
playground appropriation was only $500
II has been only in the last few years
that college athletes have taken cogni-
zance Of the fact that quite a few men
are chosen every summer from the avail
able civil service list. Then they began
taking the required examinations.
From now on" said Mr.. Lee. there
will be more than ever to take advantage
Of the opportunity to get outdoor work
during the summer In the Fairgrounds
here They can't come too fast TO suit
me"
Forty-two play centres were open until
the school term began.