El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-08

surprise. Today the deeds are being
drawn for two blocks of ground which
the city is buying, adjoining the high
school site to be used as a park and as
a playground for the people Of FL Paso
We, the city council and myself will go
the limit for Fairgrounds"
Illustrated Talk.
Mr.. Settle was then introduced. With
the aid Of lantern slides, Mr.. Settle
showed what had been accomplished in
other cities. To emphasize the need OF
the playground and recreation move
ment in FL PasO he exhibited several
scenes in FL Paso, both in the Mexican
districts Of the north side, where there
was an absence of room for the proper
conduct Of the sports of the youth.
He spoke at some length upon the
contemplated plans for the first years
work in the new movement The plans,
he stated, contemplate the use of the
Fairgrounds of the various schools dur
ing the school year, the OepratiOn Of IL
Fairgrounds during the summer, so that
each child, in the city, may be within
half mile of some playground; the use
Of Washington park, Sam Houston park
and Mundy park for baseball and other
outdoor sports; and social center ac-
tivities in at least two schools, one in
the north and one in the south side.
s.BIade in Ell PasOD Plan.
The plan was not his own creation, ne
said. 1t was a Made in FL PasO" plan,
and ne gave great credit for the work
done by the committee that has been
working with him in the development
of the plan.
Mr.. Burgess called attention to the
plans for the new high school, stating
that it is contemplated to provide swim
ming pools and the building of a large
open air stadium, wherein baseball, foot
ball and other outdoor sports could be
conducted
Mr.. Burgess digressed long enough to
state that he hoped that within the next
80 days the state legislature would pass
a progressive measure forbidding child
labor and a suitable compulsory educa-
tion law. Mr.. Burgess is a representative
from Ell PasO county to the legislature.
Robert Krakauer, president of the
chamber of commerce, spoke next. In
introducing him, Mr.. Burgess took Occa-
sion to give Mr.. Krakauer credit not
only for instituting the playground
movement in Ell Paso, but credited hiU'
with bringing the school of mines to FL
PasO.
History of Movement.
Mr. Krakauer briefly reviewed the
events that led to the starting OF the
playground movement. He told of the
efforts that resulted in bringing Of Mr..
Bellemy of the Hiram house playground
in Cleveland, O., to Ell PasO; how Mr..
bellEIlY duQIESSGu llGulUGL6 u LuG
chamber of commerce at a dinner at
the Paso del Norte; and how, as a re-
suit of this address, the chamber was
induced to appropriate $500 to start the
movement. He told of the coming Of
Mr.. Settle and of the great results that
had followed his coming.
The Fairgrounds committee, com
posed of IS people, represents various
interests within the city" he said. All
have been enthusiastic. The committee
meetings have been well attended, and
all have advanced ideas They knew
what they wanted, and they worked
harmoniously to attain them. I believe
the $500 the chamber of commerce has
spent will prove the best investment
ever made by the organization in be-
half OF the city"
Claiborne Adams, representing the
school board, spoke briefly. He said the
playground movement was great step
in the direction of improving conditions
among the children.
At the beginning of the meeting the
Bailey school kindergarten band per-
formed with cymbals bells, triangles.
horns and drums, and songs were rem
dered by the Lamar school Glee club.
Report OF Expert.
The results of the efforts of field
secretary T. S. Settle, of the Play
grounds and Recreation association of
America, and of the subcommittee ap-
cials and the school board, were told
at meeting Of tie Fairgrounds and
recreation committee at the chamber