The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-12

pators OF human ignorance into lives
OF probity and usefulness
Win all these advantages of civic
and political liberty and education,
however. there has been overmuch
OF mutual distrust and harsh judg.
ment. due sometimes, IL is true, 10
: personal malice. sometimes to greed
sometimes TO abuse OF liberty, but due
more often to Misunderstanding and
/ TO ignorance of the true meaning OF
democracy.
New Forces at Work.
II is true that within the past few
years new and appealing forces have
been at work trying to harmonize the
various interests OF the races by Gre
ating mutual appreciation of that
which Is worth while in each other.
and by bringing them together in a
spirit of mutual helpfulness and CO.
operation. Various bodies OF people.
and also individuals. have worked
through the churches. private societies
and social service agencies 90 accom-
plish this end. But local. rather than
countrywide. results have come from
these beginnings. not. however.
, through any lack of effort or efficiency
on the part of the workers, but be
cause they worked under conditions
not wholly free from religious or
partisan influences, and on territory
not absolutely the peoples own.
The greatest help in the solution OF
, this problem of unifying many nation
alities was rendered few years ago
by the National Playground land Rec
reation Association in cooperation
with the Russell Sage Foundation OF
New York. With their comprehensive
vision gained by wide contact with all
parts OF the country. these sssocia-
tons discovered the need for US all
OF meeting places. absolutely neutral
ground, free from every trace OF re-
hgious. social or political prejudice.
The idea TO which they gave national
significance was this--the public
school buildings. common property.
formerly held sacred alone to the
training Of mind and hand Of the
young. could logically and rightfuuy
be put 10 a wider public use The ma
ttonal association pointed out the fact
that the public school buildings were
being used on the average for a pc
riod ~ only 2i0 days AZ most. with a
possibility OF only 200 10 1 400 hours
each year. The fact "a evident that
the Investment represented Ia Duild.
inEs and equipment h. not drawing all
the dividends u should
A national program has been
planned and r. being carried out 90
meke u evident 20 the entire country
that more consideration must be given
10 the leisure time problem" 81 our
city population This program calls
for a careful survey Of all forces work.
ina for the unlift or dragging down Of
society Among the easily deter.
mined assets IN every community are
found the school houses. which can
readily be adapted 10 provide the hest
recreation for young people and adults
during leisure hours
Extent % Movement
To-day We have covering the length
md breadth OF tho country some 1f0
odd cities using over 800 school build
has for social and recreation centers.
The numbers range from 81 public
school buildings IN New York CITY. IS
IN Kansas City. 30 In Pittsburgh. %
In Chicago. down through rs In Erie.
Pa. "a IN Philadelphia. 10 one each In
whole host Of places % less popuia-
lion. The nrst three named arc the
only large cities which have had a
broad enough vision 10 carry on their
work In bis way. Many smaller