Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-15
RECREATION BOARD
BECOMES THE GOAT
Members Admit that They Acted
Irregularly and Promise to
Do Better.
BETTER FEELING. PREVAILS

Called into conference with the
recreation board last evening. mem
bers of the city council declared that
the new board has been derelict in
its methods, and 1t also was agreed
that the ordinance under which the
recreation board has been working
gives the board power in one clause
and takes that power away in
another.
The conference was called by
Chairman Hummel of the recreation
board, and the general tenor of the
meeting reverted to the Hummel-
English controversy. which broke
cut last week.
The gist OF the conference was that the
recreation board ordinance should be
amended 50 as to give the board defined
uthority, and in turn, the board should
adopt rules and regulations and also de-
fine the duties of its superintendent.
Board Acts Irregular.
Mayor Dahlman, who presIced, told SUI
perintendent English that in drawing up
the program for the playground institute
the recreation board should have been
consulted. and he added that the chair
man and superintendent of the board
should work together the latter recognix-
ing that Mr.. Hummel is his superior.
The meeting was marked by good feel
| ing all around. and members OF the
recreation board individually admitted
that they have not met on regular dates.
and they likewise admitted that they
have not been holding their meetings In
businesslike manner.
VIII Cooperate Hereafter.
1.-THE whole fault seems to lie with the
recreation board" was a statement made
| by Commissioner Drexel Commissioner
| Jardine made a similar remark Or j.
p. Connolly and DIR. Zorro d. Clark of
| the board took unto the iselves some
measure OF blame for the situation. and
promised closer corporation IN the future.
A general sentiment prevailed that
Commissioner Hummel did splendid work
in starting the practical playground
movement in the parks. and 1t was the
sense OF the conferees that he should be
assisted in every way possible. There
also were expressions that Superintend-
ent English should bring before the board
all matters which he may wish 20 carry
OUT suCh az Nhe institute pfopoSiOon,
which caused the rumpus.
The recreation board will meet In reg
ular session on Thursday evening. when
the rules and regulations will be con-
sidered, and the board will then resolve
TO start out I'm a businesslike manner.
Chairman Hummel denied in emphatic
terms that there had been any suspen-
sion Of Superintendent English. as had
been reported. He said the matter has
never been mentioned or thought of by
hlm. Mr. English Is still superintendent
and last evening expressed a wish TO
work in harmony with the board. asking
that his duties be better defined. 50 that
he may know what may be expected OF
him.
The meeting closed with few informal
expressions by Commissioner Jardine on
the general topic OF play. What want
to know Is where this supervised play IL
going TO end. II may be all right. but /
wish Mr. English could devise some plan
whereby parents would not be required
to tell children forty times 10 do some
little task. What makes me wonder some
times Is how some OF these young people
who are playing all OF the time are GO
ing 10 make a living some day" said Mr.,
Jardine.
c. r. Weller. associate secretary OF thC
Playground and Recreation association
OF America. enlightened Mr.. Jardine on
a few OF the features OF the new play
movement.