The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-08-27
Fairgrounds and Crime.
g. X. ApDtNGToN BRUCE.
Autho, o. The Riddle Of Personality"
Psychology and Parenth9Oa etc.

The modern scientific study of Juvenile de-
nnauency has brought 20 light many important
facts regarding tho boy who goes wrong Also.
II has worked out some excellent methods for
preventing boys from going wrong. and Tor saw
ing those who have already made bad start
One OF the simplest and most helpful OF these
methods consists IN the establishment ot public
Fairgrounds
Tho playground movement has made muen
headvny ln our cities during recent years. bui
there still are many cities inadcqu~ely equip
ped And others though foirly Well equipped
with play grounds. have not always been careful
10 locate them whore they are most needed
that f.. IN the most deusely populated districts
II Is not 100 much 20 say that every c"htt-
ed quarter which IL without a h'!k"D'. n''i
playground ought 20 be provided with ole ae
quickly as possible.
This OF course. viii be expensive becaus' ~
the value Of the land that sill have io De- ia.r.
over But ln the long run. the expense H.l
be more than offset by the social and econoHi.
gain 70 the entire cry through - resul'on
proyement In both physical and moral H''
investigation has left no doubt that th' "aa
ness" OF many juvenile dclirQueuts is nH ..E
but a perycrsion of the play instinct. Ut p It'd
LACK OF A SUITABLE OUTLET For fHE
SURPLUS NERVOUS ENERGY WITH N.t.'H
EVERY HEALTHY. CROWN" H'r 8
ABUNDANTLY SUPPLIED
Also badness" Of this sort Is linked '.'. 'he
craving for excitement natural with the aF'rrs
boy
Tho drab life Of the tenement and Of tbe so-
did street IL dun TO the boy lie fights tr fuf
ments st0rekeepers. he steals. De- dele tht Fa
liceman BECAUSE HE HAS NOTHING MORE
INTERESTING TO DO
Give him n chance 10 run 10 jump 10 play
ball 20 sport on The flying rings, and YOU loom
viii notice a change FOR the better In his conduct
unless Indeed, he Is the unhappy inmate 90
home whose influence tends 20 make and k.0D
him vicious.
But n the home Influence be not altogether
bad the playground is likely 10 prove Dos
cisive factor In his redemption. To the truth
OF this ample evidence is forthcoming from pa.
licemen, teachers. and social workers who have
had experience OF congeeed district before
and after n ncghbOrhOOd playground WAS r.-ah.
ished In a.
The playground furthermore benefits another
and most numerous class ~ juvenile dclinqunH'
These are boys whose physique is below p.f
Anemc and poorly nourishcd their brain
not get tho blood supply necessary for its proper
functonlngs Hence their power TO will and to
reason is impaired
Given any temptation 10 wronrdoing f..v
readily yield 20 II, not because they are iuuat..-
wicked, but because they lack rcsistve for
They need upbudng by cxNrcisc in The r..I
air and this exercise they can get In suif., .-t
m ure only in the public park or paygr1
IN the playground. too II Ct Is under o..
rection Of competent play master. Ties .r.
assured Of mental discipline that will hrT-
out tho good qualities possessed by even tho
worst Of boys
by all means. then. let every citizen who tas
the welfare o. his city really at heart supgor.
tho playground movement