Arizona republican., 1915-02-28
Official Organ of State Federation of Clubs

of books, magazines and newspaper articles dealing with the subject. and numerous organizations specializing in this phase of social welfare The ideas we present however, have been gleam mainly from the publica
 tions of the Russell Sage Founda- tion and the Playground and Recre- ation Association of America
 Naturally we want to know some thing about these organizations, that speak with so much authority on the subject.
 Upon investigation We find that the Russell Sage Foundation was endowed by Mrs. Sage with $10,000,
 OO0.0O, and incorporated under the
 laws of New York in 1907. The purpose being to improve social and living conditions in America. An
 undertaking of vital importance and
 great possibilities. one department l is devoted entirely to the subjest of recreation.
 1 The Playground Association is
 neither endowed nor subsidized but dependent for its support upon the
 generosity of interested individuals
 and that it has grown into such a
 strong efficient organization, certain ! ly speaks well for the worthwhile
 ness of the movement. The officia organ is The Playground" a month 1 iy magazine and the ultimate. enc
 to be attained is wholesome recrea-
 ton for the entire family. The As
 sociation is a sort of clearing house for recreation ideas. It aids loca
 groups by furnishing printed matter
 leaning lantern slides, counselln, with reference to plans, policies | speakers and workers It also co
 operates with other organization
 working alone the same line. Not
 ably the Department of Recreation
 of the Russell Sage Foundation.
 From a report of the Playgroun
 Association, Jan. 30. 1914. we lear
 that blanks were sent to every cit
 in the United States and Canada o
 over 5000 and to cities under 300
 that had indicated some effort to
 ward public recreation. Response
 were received from 105O cities whic resulted in a comprehensive surve of recreation in America. Of thes GAP cities reported various stage , of activity, 34e of which had regula paid play leaders, 22 volunteer an 5 59 no leaders.
 2 The Association stands for pla leadership in playgrounds and rs
 creation centers also for municip; support of recreation.
 Many communities report play . grounds one year and none the nel l explanation, no play leadershi
 Ad so the work rises and falls unt
 it is at last established on the rigl basis with competent leadershi Never has a city so started, fallt back.
 $ When the country was young al , life less strenuous recreation proi lems were not so perplexing as thu | have grown to be. There was plen of play space and neighborhot meetings were common. Chores a ter school and excursions throut p meadow pasture or beside the ri bling brook, furnished physical exc . else of the very best kind. Th' l the home was the industrial cent e and children learned by doing. Tn l formed habits which determined the e whose lives. Now all this has be- : changed. We are living in the a
 of the automobile and aerOplar The work of the home has, in large measure, been transformed the factories, thereby making DO sible the evolution of our great m dern industrial centers with the many accompanying social problem Now it is no longer possible for t home to fulfill its original respo sibility toward children. It then comes the duty of society to sha in this responsibility if modern you is to have an all round traini which will fit him for life.
 How to solve the many SOC problems which changed conditio | have brought about? How to cou l teract the evils of modern industr | How to safeguard the environme l of youth? How to promote good ( | tizenship, family unity and commu | ity spirit? Are questions whi | have received the nose serious co l sideration from the worlds greate I social workers With one vol | however, they declare a comprehe /! sive recreational system to be t | best possible remedy because | strikes at the root of the evil-gt | hold of the young people and | following natures methods, Ia
 right foundations of character.
 builds up the physical body.