Evening star., 1915-03-11
RECREA7|ONAL PLAN
FOR D. c. OUTLINED
Prof. Mckenzie to Urge Util-
ization of Government
Owned Ground.
COMMISSIONERS TO GET
SURVEY REPORT BY JULY
Will Advocate Purchase of Land for
Fairgrounds Where Needed-Ad-
dress Before Unitarian Club.

Utilization of government-owne
ground in a comprehensive develop
nent of Washington's playground sys-
tenn is the principal recommendation
that will be made to the Commissioners
ps result of the survey just made or
tho Districts recreational facilities.
The survey, which was begun last
october by representatives of the fed
raj chfIdren's bureau and the District
government, has been completed as
ar as the collecting of data is con-
rerned. Preparation of the report will
now be commenced. and the document,
II is expected. will be in the hands OF
the Commissioners by July.
Prof r a. Mckenzie OF Ohio State
University, who, in conjunction with
F. S Martin. District supervisor OF
Fairgrounds, conducted the survey for
the District, expects to leave Wash
ington the latter part of the week for
his home. in Columbus. Ohio. where he
will write the ma jor portion of his re-
port.
Although declining to make public
at this time the specific recormenda-
tions that il will contain. Prof NC
Kenzie stated TODAY that the general
plan to be urged will provide for utin-
zation of ground already owned by the
government in the further DEVELOPMENT
of the capitals Fairgrounds facliitles.
In sections where there are no govern
rnent t-owned tracts purchase of land
will be advocated to the end that no
part of the city shall be without ade-
quate recreational facilities.
Time Required to Execute Plan.
Carrying out of the plan to be recon-
mended, said Prof Mckenzie, would re-
quire from five to ten years. The I'M
provements sought may be provided at
reasonable cost, he added. 1t is antlcl-
pated that the Commissioners will en-
deavor to obtain some of the improve
ments to be recommended during the
next session of Congress.
How the survey was conducted was
explained by Prof Mckenzie in an
address last night before the Jnitar-
ian Club of Washington at All Souls
Church.
Assisted by Supervisor Martin. E. B;
DeGroot of Chicago. who represented
the children's bureau. and Dr. Arthur L.
Murray. formerly of the District health
Department, Prof Mckenzie made
studies of sociological conditions In
Washington's fifty-three health dis
tricts. Data was obtained showing the
number Of white and colored children
in each of these districts, the proper
tion provided with recreatfonal facil1-
ties and that which Is entirely un-
provided for.
Results Flashed on Screen.
Results of these studies were flashed
on screen and explained in detail by
Prof Mckenzie. The speaker urged
conversion of the Districts old work
house buildings, near the Eastern
branch. into municipal gymnasiums.
He referred to the fact that Washing
toms liquor bill amounts to s3,5oo.o00
year, and outlined some of the improve
ments which could be provided with
this amount of money.
A mammoth athletic stadium, gym
nasiums, recreation centers, summer
camps and two Ellen Wilson memorials
could be provided with the money that
is spent annually in Washington on
intoxicants, he declared.
Supervisor Martin also addressed the
meeting, outlining the development of
the capitals Fairgrounds prior and
subsequent to their being taken over by
tho. District and made municipal in
stitutions.
Club Officers Reelected.
Preceding the addresses the club held
it's annual banquet and election in the
Sunday school room of the church. G.
Grosvenor DAVE, who presided as
toastmaster, was reelected president.