The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-15
National Recreation Congress
at Grand Rapids Hears of
Community Leagues
INTEREST rs AROUSED
BY J. Fl. MONTGOMERY
Secretary of Cooperative Ed.
ucation Association Makes
Three Addresses to Play.
grounds Convention

Secretary J. Fl. Montgomery, of the
Cooperative Education Association,
has returned from the National Rec
reation Congress which met at Grand
Rapids, Mich. Every section of tho
United States. Canada, South America
and even warning Europe, was repre-
sented at this Congress and all phases
of both urban and rural social and
recreational life were thoroughly
discussed. Reports indicated that cit
les are doing much to provide play
and recreation and practically every
city OF any prominence has regularly
employed playground superintend-
ents.
One fact that was developed In tho
conference was that Virginia is lead
ing all other States in the work that
Is being done to encourage play, req
reatlon and wholesome social adj
vantages in the rural districts.
The Cooperative Education Asso-
citation of Virginia. which has dona
this work. is rather unique organ
ization. Very few States have any
organization that com pares with it.
and it was to know more of the work
Of this association that led the Play
ground and Recreation Association OF
America to invite Mr.. Montgomery to
attend the National Congress and
speak. Many States are eager to or
ganize some such association and de-
velop the work along the line that has
been developed in Virginia.
Spoke Three Times.
While he was at first asked to make
one address, he was finally called on
to speak at three separate sessions Of
the congress. The three subjects dis
cussed were Community Celebrations
j in Virginia" The Use of the Public
School as a Public Forum" and The
Junior League and Boys and Girls
Club Work"
Mr.. Montgomery reported that
nearly 500 community leagues In this
State held community celebrations
during the past year. On these occa-
sions, the people met at their respec-
tive schools and carried out q good
program consisting of songs. recita-
tons. debates and discussions. and in
many places play and games were
thoroughly enjoyed by practically all
present.
Through the splendid enthusiasm
aroused by these meetings hundreds
of school buildings and grounds were
improved. he said. and health cam.
paigns were carried out and several
miles of country roads improved. Be-
sides. great interest Is stimulated in
better farming and farm methods. 1t
WIS a TSS0ldLlOh TO tnOSc present Inat
Virginia has 400 of these community
organizations with membership Of
| over $4,000, and in addition to this
about 500 Junior leagues for school
boys and girls.
1t was most gratifying to officials
OF the association to receive the fol-
lowing letter from the field secretary
at Grand Rapids Just before Mr..
Montgomery arrived;
Virginia Gets Credit
To the Officers and Directors Of the
Cooperative Education Association:
I'VE wish to convey to you the sin.
cere thanks of the Playground and
| Recreation Association OF America
for allowing Mr.. Montgomery to come
to Grand Rapids to help US out with
the Recreation Congress.
He was most valuable to us and
reflected credit upon your association
and the State of Virginia
He put Virginia decidedly on the
map at luncheon Tuesday. when
the subject for discussion was Civic
Forums" After many had wondered
IL very many schoolhouses in Amer
lea We're used as open forums and
political discussions were allowed in
them Mr.. Montgomery pointed out
that the school houses of Virginia
are being used very freely as open
house of the Ninth District will be
used until after the November elec-
ton, for political discussion. Those
present felt this was a great step for
ward for Virginia or any other State.
ON Wednesday he gave a most in
teresting talk on Community Celebra-
tons and on Thursday, at another
luncheon aroused much interest by
telling of the boys and girls club work
that Is being conducted by the Coop
and other organizations.
we feel that this was the greatest
Recreation Congress ever held. OF
especial interest was the word
brought from South America, Asia
and even warning Europe of the rapid
advance this movement Is making in
those continents as we'll as in our
own. 1t is truly worldwide move
ment."
The letter was signed by z. q
Settle. field secretary