The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-11-11
Charles F. Weller, Speaking
Before Interested Audience,
Suggests Plan for
Keoklk.
ENTHUSIASM IS SHoWN
Meeting Called for November
%, When it is Expected
Formal Action Will
Result.
SOME WELLERtSMS.

The old games have gone, like
duck on rock, prisoners base and
others. The vigorous and charac-
ter building games are played no
more.
There Is too much corner loaf
ing.
Leisure time, "alley time" as
one man said, is improperly spent
Play leadership Is crux OF STU
alton. It's not enough to nave
apparatus and space, you must
have leadership.
Between now and January IS
the time for the schools and the
churches to go into the saloon
business" They must take care
of the recreation of the common
man without the unwholesome IL
uuor atmosphere.
You must take care OF the so
cial life Of your young people.
Where are your daughters m eet-
ing their friends in the dark
streets?
Encourage old fashioned soc1als,
and dramatic clubs and the IKE.
There ia a river OF potential power
flowing through the city of keokuk.
II is q river Of $4,000 leisure hours.
Will the people Of Keokuk have the
statesmanship, the foresight and the
will to harm ess that river as they DID
the Mississippi with its potential
mower. and thus provide for their
future?
This was the question which Charles
Frederick Weller, secretary OF the
American Fairgrounds associa tlon'
and social service expert from chi
cago nut to school principals, mem
bers of the Keokuk Playground asso-
citation mem bers of the school board.
and prominent women and business
men at a meeting held last evening
IN the Mckinley school building.
Judging from the interest shown III
MI. Weller's talk, and the fact that
steps were taken for an immediate
meeting, to be held week from THIS
coming Monday night, the people or
Keokuk are going to endeavor to an
swer this playground question IN the
affirmative.
There was much enthusiasm ev1n-
cad last night at the meeting and the
Informal talks which were made our
ing the dinner hour, together with
the questions propounded Mr.. Weller
regarding the playground expert who
VIII come here, makes things look de-
cfdedly favorable for pushing the
idea.
Must Work for Future.
p G. HAYDEN, president Of the Keo'-
kuk Fairgrounds association intIo-
duced MP. Weller last evening. Owing
W.
tn Chicago, Mr.. Weller necessarily
was forced to limit his talk some
what. However, he clearly and con-
cisely presented the salient polnt ),
told what the playground association
would do towards helping heoKuk
and outlined the procedure on the
part Of Keokuk
"Keokuk people had the statesman
shin and the faith to harness tine
river with It's potential power which
had been flowing past their doors for
wears and it is on this fact that you
base your future" said Mr.. Weller,
in introducing his subject. Leisure
Time In Keokuk; Liability or an
Asset" Continuing he said There
is another river, one of $4,000 hours
OF leisure running through your city.
Here is a river with potential power:
Will YOU have the statesmanship and
the will to harness that river and
assure the future Of your cfty?'
Mr.. Weller seemed to think that
MANY of the old games, the character
building, vigorous games such as
duck on davey, prisoners base, and
the like were disappearing. There
was too much idle time, too much