Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-23
BOOM M'KIERNAN
FORPLAYGROUNDS
Resolutions in His Favor Adopt
ed at the Jenkinson Christ
mas Dinner.

William J. McKiernan, former su-
pervisor of the local Fairgrounds,
was enthusiastically doomed for a
position under the new city admins
tration at the annual Christmas din
ner held by the r. c. Jenkinson ORA
matte Club and the Frank H. Som
mer Athletic Club at Di Carlos res
I taurant at q Market street last
night The members of the two or
ganizations worked with Mr.. Nc
Kiernan when he began the play
ground movement in Newark some
years ago. They were then boys IN
der his care, and they hope he will
be again recognized for his efforts
ir the matter of civic development.
! Mr.. McKiernan was not at the
dinner. He is now employed in news
paper work in Washington. He sent
a long letter to the boys, in which
( he retold the history of the play
ground movement in this city. Incl
/ dentally the letter took rap at the
( outgoing administration because Of
( changes made in the local play
grounds two years ago. The writer T
/ laUded Mayor ELECT Thomas L. Ray
4 mond, saying the latter was one Of
1 the first men in the city to advocate
and indorse the playground move f
ment.
After the reading of the letter the
| members of the two clubs adopted +
a resolution to the effect that the .
bringing back to this city Of Mr.. Nc
T; kiernan, as a leader in the play +
ground movement, would be a most
| progressive step in behalf Of the
uplift of young men. The adoption
Of the resolution was marked with
series of cheers for their former
leader. 1t Is understood that a peti-
ton in Mr.. McKiernan's behalf has
been circulated for some days and
that already more than 5000 names
have been subscribed.
Xavier Del Nagro, a student at the
| New Jersey Law School, was toast
master. He explained in behalf of
] the guests at the dinner the old
playground movement and how It
was marked by the formation of the
Newark Boys Club and other organ
izations that started in the River
street section. Among the guests
We're Frank II. Sommer, counsel to
the Public Utility Commission and
standard bearer of one of the boys
organizations; Richard C. Jenkinson,
Judge Patrick Dolan, of the Juvenile
Court. former Senator Everett Colby,
Leonard II. Robbins, Silas w. Niles,
Freeholder Richard c. Malta, Mich
olas La Vecchia, president of the
Playground Commission; Lathrop
Anderson, of the Bureau of Associat-
ed Charities; John J. Gascoyne, Off
Ger of the Probation Court; Harry B.
Fowler and Simon D. Northrup.
During the dinner number of cash
donations to charitable purposes We're
announced from the various boys or
ganizations that had representatives
present. The Sommer Athletic Club
donated a sum to the Bureau of As
socoated Charities, the presentation
being made by James Papa. Ralph Del
Nagro announced gift to the Bureau
of Associated Charities in behalf of
the McKiernan Fife and Drum Corps.
Frank Cozzolino, representing the
Jenkinson Dramatic Club, announced
a contribution to the movement for
new State home for girls. Michael
Lang announced a gift to the Bureau
of Associated Charities. Michael
Cuillo announced gift in behalf Of
the Sommer Club to be distributed
equally to the local newspapers for
their Christmas charity funds. Her
man Ringle announced a contribution
in behalf of the Aronson Basketball
Club to Beth Israel Hospital. The
contributions to local charities have
been an annual Christmas custom
with the boys.
Mr.. Jenkinson and Mr.. Colby, after
lilO pIdlSeu the DOYS
for the display of civic pride and the
spirit in which they gave their money
, to charity. 1t was later announced
in behalf of Mr.. Jenknson and Mr..
Colby they had each made a Christ
mas donation to the boys treasury
Both men have been for some time
interested with several other Newark
leaders in the boys work and have
aided Mr.. Sommer, who has kept ac-
tive in keeping them together in re-
cent years. Mr.. Sommer also ad-
dressed the boys and urged them to
continue their work in behalf of good
citizenship. Judge Dolan spoke in be-
half of reform in laws which compel
the courts to send Juveniles to prison,
thus putting them in contact with
professional criminals. Mr.. La Vec-
CHA promised to aid the boys in their
efforts In behalf of Mr.. McKiernan.
The Resolution.
The resolution indorsing Mr.. Nc.
Kiernan, as adopted at the dinner,
reads:
Resolved, That we who were ae-
tive in playground clubs under tbs.
administration of William j. McKier-
nan as supervisor join in expressing
the following convictions:
One-That the removal of Mr.. Nc
klernan from the playground work
caused a loss which can be made up
by no other man, because no other
man possesses in so large a measure
individual acquaintance with and
deep sympathetic individual interest
in those who are on and who have
graduated from the Fairgrounds.
"Two-That the restoring of Mr..
| McKiernan to the playground work
will strengthen that work in its hold
upon the affections of those whom it
| serves.
''Three-That in so expressing our
convictions we do not intend to re-
fleet upon the present administration
| of the work, and further
Resolved. That we ask the Board
of Playground Commissioners exist
| ing under the law which Mr.. McKier,
nan drew, and for the passage of
which he battled almost alone, and
the mayor-elect earnestly to consider
| this declaration"