Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-20
To PROTEST AGAINST
FORRER'S DISMISSAL
IContinued From First Page]

since the news became known that
Mr. Forrer would be dropped the chill
dren have been busy among them
selves. The report to-day was that
the juvenile protests would be COM
bined in one petition to be presented
next Tuesday provided the movement
could be organized by that time.
The Rev. John II. Daugherty, pres-
dent of the Civic Council of Federated
Churches of Harrisburg, announced
this afternoon that he will call the
members of the executive committee
together tomorrow to frame reso-
lutions protesting against the dis
missal of Forrer. These resolutions
will be presented to the civic council
for adoption Monday evening.
I'VE have been so busy in license
court" said he, that I've had prac-
tically no chance to go into the matter
very fully thus far" said he to-day,
but have heard a whole lot of talk
against the removal of Mr.. Forrer."
The Rev. Father 7. b. Johnson as
sistant rector of st. Patricks Cathe-
dral and one of the leading athletic
directors of the city. has issued an
open letter on the subject of Forrer's
dismissal. Following is the letter.:
Like a death knoll to many cherish
Mr.. Forrer's dismissal on the ears of
thousands of Harrisburgs youngsters.
''Urchins even unable to read the
newspapers learned the facts from rom
safe in saying that the Mister Forrer'
echo of the Fairgrounds and parks OF
the past few years has been the kid
dies password since, the news of his
dismissal was sent afloat. But this as
merely sentiment - though child senti
ment is overgrown philosophy - yet
stronger protest is needed.
What a pity that politics has to en-
ter this hallowed domain and rob our
children of the efficient service of one
who has advanced Harrisburg's park
and playground interests to the pres
ent standing.
"Those who are interested enough
in the subject will learn that Harris
far behind other cities; that the eff
forts of the past were but infant
sprawlings; and that what the city
needs with an important secondary to
work of this kind and more resources
for this purpose.
I'VE police the faults, of a grown
that environment imposes upon so
many children in early training; we
endure network of societies for the
amelioration of humankind. but we too
ance in our great commonwealth.
AS Professor ,Stearns, of Philips
Academy, says: In these days of in
creasing luxury, ease and softness, the
influence Of wholesome athletics in
developing character and toughening
moral fibre must not be ignored
Mr.. Forrer's work needs no COM
ment; his efficiency in the past is best
attested by the results produced from
such small resources. as we'll as from
the universal and city wide uplift to
thousands Of Harrisburg's children;
shall we remove him and nip the work
in the bud? | feel certain of the ans
wer that the 'voX populi would give
but how far removed-is that 'vox
populf in SO many cases from the ad-
of our government
II close with the same argument as
the opening the children's voice -
we need our parks; we need our park
superintendent; and we need Mr.. Forrer
as that superintendent = man whose
efficiency has made our playground and
park system the man who is destined
to guarantee it's success.