El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-11-04

~ UBLIC Fairgrounds for children
was the study topic Of the gem
= eral Womans club meeting We'd
nesday afternoon, held in the audi
torium Of the High school The subject
was presented by three experts, Miss
Alice Fitzpatrick. principal of the La
mar school. Mrs John OShea, of the
Woman's Civil Improvement league,
and W r. Pearson, the physical train
ing supervisor and athletic director Of
the public school system of FL Paso.
AS the majority Of the members OF
the club have little children Of their
own. the interest of the audience was
in sympathy with the speakers. Miss
Fitzpatrick spoke of the need and the
Importance of the play period IN the
growing child's life. She spoke of the
various periods Of play through which
in a way the child repeats the his
tory Of the race and how from lndl-
vidual play he developed into group
games which were immensely valuable
in teaching the child unselfishness,
loyalty, self control, consideration of
others and fair play and honesty. MISS
Fitzpatrick particularly urged that
children be given place for their nat
Tells of the War.
Mrs. John OShea of the Civic league
read an interesting history Of the work
of the Civic Improvement league. 1t
conditions in Ell PasO. It's purpose be-
ing to improve the cleanliness and SAM
tation Of the city and to beauuty 1t as
far as possible, to make Ell Paso good
place to come to and better place
in which to live.
Among the work done By the Civic
league has been the Installing OF the
wire benches at San Jacinto plaza, the
making into parks Of Houston Square,
Cleveland Square, Carnegie Square and
Alamo park, and the securing Of well
water instead of river water Tor the
city supply park She spoke OF the
work to secure public playground
for the city and the making OF a cur
few law to keep little children from
playing on the street after nightfall.
Among the recent contributions maze
by the Civic league has been $S5 TO the
budget fund of the chamber of com
merce for advertising Ell PasO, $15 for
a flag for the Cadet corps Of the High
school and SIS for furnishing room
for the Rescue Home.
Tells What Is MOdeI Playground.
W. r. Pearson, the physical training
supervisor and athletic director Of the
public schools talked on what cOnsu-
tutes Il model playground. He divided
his subject into four parts, the site of
the playground, equipment, the director
and the system enforced. In regard
to the site, he urged that above all
the playground be large enough to pro-
vide baseball diamonds and football
same time have sufficient room for
sand piles. swings and see for the
little children. He said it was most
important 60 socate the playground in
the neiehborhood of the children for
whom II was to be established, as the
children will not go over 10 or u blocks
TO play He also emphasized that it be
located in a safe part Of town, where
the children would not have to cross
railway tracks or too many street car
tracks, or go through an undesirable
part OF the city to reach the play
grounds. He said that IL should be on
high ground and well drained and if
possible have a pleasant view. For
equipment he urged the swimming pool
for the older children and the wading
pool for the little children. The equip
ment should be varied so IS to appeal
TO all ages of children and there should
also be an indoor gymnasium, if only
shed with a good roof and floor and !
sides half way up with netting near
the roof. Here there should be classes |
in physical training and gymnasium ap-
paratus. The directors of the play
ground should be people decidedly in |
sympathy with children, and able to !
attract them to come to the play
grounds.
AS children and their play were the
principal topics the entertainment of /
the program was provided by two lit /
tie youngsters, George Hervey played |
Dixie as a violin solo, and little Miss
Nina Edwards played "Serenade !
Badine" as a violin solo. Mrs V. I. /
Bean accompanied both players.
Committee to Visit Schools
Mrs. S. J. Fenneu suggested that a /
committee Of two members should be J
appointed by the club president to visit /
the public schools of the city, not in any
way to criticise, but for the purpose |
of being well informed on the work /
being done in the public schools and /
10 see if in any way the club could CO. I
operate with the teachers. This com /
mittee will be appointed at a later time /
and will report weekly at the club !
meetings.
Reports Read.
In the brief business meeting preced- /
ing the program or the day, the report /
Of the secretary, Mrs. Charles B.
stevens, was read. Mrs. s. n. Suther-