Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1914-04-10
CONTINUED from page twO)


Athletics were favored as being as
valuable in their way as civic train
ing. All who wished some form of
activity were cordially welcomed at
the center. They did have moving
picture shows, IL is true, once u
week or once fortnight but all who
came To these. were encouraged to
join some club and take some active
part in the center"
Ia 1912 there were l0l cities in
the United States that carried on
some form of evening center work
and used 1873 school buildings for
that purpose. In eighty-four cities
the school hoard furnished light and
heat. srvcnly-iwo Of these cities. jan
Tor services were also furnished and
~ fifteen elite, the total expense was
raid BY the Board Of Education.
Trained workers were employed IN
forty four cities and in nineteen some
"r all Of the workers were paid by
the school hoard. The laws in ten
different state, huv. been 81 amend
I'd within the last two years that the
maintenance of these centers may be
taken ont of the public school fund.
The total cost Of maintenance in
..lndine both donations and subscrip-
lions aud amounts pnid by school
boards for these 1913 renters Is
Sl39. 535.73, an average of something
$4,000. This average is practically
meaningless, for some centers we're
very large and others very small +;
some were open five nights in the
week for from three to nine months.
while others were open only one, two
ar three nights for the same diff
ferent periods.
But there is one thing we can get
ut that is concrete and that is that
this work is a public responsibility
and that the public should pay for
it. And the school boards are rapid
~ coming to see the question from
that point of view. The light, the
fuel. the ianitor service, the building,
the equipment, and the needed
teaching force all should be paid fol-
Mt public expense.
This work, in order that il may be
interesting instructive, and helpful
needs to be carefully planned and
worked out. Every one in the com
muniiy who either needs help or is
able to give help should be sought
out and put in touch with the center
II NAV take an extra "hand' to look
after this department but the returns
I am persuaded to believe. will b.
commensurate with the cost.
The various civic and social groups
/ should. in n large measure. be self
governing and self-supporting. The,
should elect their own officers. Sc
] ltci their representative in large sys
TENS on the governing board ant
should pay the incidental expense
which may be incurred for their spe
cial benefit or pleasure. That is To-
music. musical instruments. dr""ra
,"n~ for special occasions. lectures
refreshments for special "rcns'on
and special performers or entertain
'rs.
In our work in Oklohama City. on
principal, d. E. Porter, received y
nm evening for his work and his as
.istants $3.50 to $500. From statis
lies | learn that principal in othe
places receives from three dollars T.
,ix dollars per day for his service
and his assistants from two dollar
To three and half dollars, In add
lion to heat, light and janitor service
a center accommodating two hundre
each evening and reaching more tina
twice that number during the Who'll
wear would cost from ten dollars I
twelve dollars per day for salarie
Mus the overhead charges which vi
not be in the aggregate more tina
fifteen dollars per day.
| have endeavored to show 20
what q school center is and what
costs. Now let us see il We can whi
il pays. | cannot tell and neith'
can YOU. II is like advertising. "
NAV point out some Of its product
the value Of which to the individu
concerned and to society, you ma
Judge for yourself.
Mr.. Edward W. Stitt in his repo
To Superintendent W. II. Maxwell
the New York City schools, says:
"a rudely behaving, ls-year o
working Italian girl was eoaxed
from the street. Her past history W
found to be of truancy and incorri
ibility. An inmate from reform
tory institution from which she b
been released a year or more befo
appearing at the center. AT the e
Of month, she was coming to !
center and entering into its activitl
a,, NIGHT that II was omen. T.