New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-04-18
PLAN
is GIVEN HEARING
SUBJECT ELECTS CONSIDER.
ABLE INTEREST AMONG THE
CITIZENS.

The Fairgrounds and recreation move
ment, fostered by the Fairgrounds and
Recreation Association of America, covers
much larger field than the average lay
man has conceived. 1t does more than
merely provide Fairgrounds for the
children Of the towns in which they are
located. They really foster a "Com-
munity Spirit and grow to large pro-
portions when once the movement has
taken root in any city. These facts were
discovered by the audience which
gathered at the High School auditorium
Monday evening to listen to an address
by Charles F. Weller Of Chicago, asso-
ciate secretary Of the association.
Leadership is Needed.
The meeting, which was presided over
by Major L. A. Fritsche, was called for
the purpose Of discussing and if possible,
to ascertain how public sentiment of New
Ulm stands on the proposition.
Mr.. Weller, after explaining the
various fields of endeavor entered into
by the: association, laid considerable
stress upon the need Of leadership for
I the movement in any town where it is
inaugurated. He said the proper way
! to finance is by private subscriptions, and
the support Of the individuals pledged
before the help of various City Boards
is asked. He spoke of the mobilization
of human resources and the conservation
in all lines of human activity which is
coming to be seen as necessary for the
stability Of the nation.
Leisure Time is Valuable.
Figuring up the value of leisure time
there is, he said, at least 81, 600, 900 going
to waste each year in New Ulm, figuring
such time at 10 cents an hour.
| Mr.. Weller advised the city folks to
cultivate a more sociable relationship
with the farmers of the vicinity, and de-
clared the people of the city would find
their rural neighbors ready to meet them
more than half way, and pointed out
what had been accomplished at North
field, along that line.
Inside of three years, he said, there
will be physical training required in the
schools for every boy and girl in the land.
| Plan Approved.
Following Mr.. Weller's address several
members of the audience were called
upon for remarks. Philip Liesch said
the movement was much more extensive
and covered far greater ground, than he
had imagined, altho he had followed its
course thru the newspapers and other
sources for the past several years. He
declared that hundreds of dollars could
be raised any time for the purpose ST
almost any kind of a celebration that
would be all over in a day, and believed
it could be done for movement that
would be of such a lasting nature as
would the Fairgrounds proposition for
New Ulm.
H. N. Somsen voiced the sentiments
expressed by Mr.. Liesch. Mayor
Fritsche was Of the opinion that the
time, owing to war conditions now
existing, is not an opportune one to
launch new proposition and advised
waiting little later. Prof. Hess also
believed the time is not ripe and advised
a little delay.
/ Urges Conference Attendance.
| IS .
Mr.. Weller urged that New Ulm he
represented at one of the coming three
state conferences to be held next month,
the first in St. Paul, the second in Mime
apolis and the third in Duluth. ,
Charles r. Reed, field secretary of the
association, who accompanied Mr.. Wei
Ter, yesterday interviewed number OF
citizens, all Of whom expressed them
selves in favor Of the project, and be-
| lieved New Ulm would little later be
ready to fall in line with the other thirty
! or forty cities of Minnesota.