The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-11
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORMATION BUREAU
FREDERIC J. HASKIN, Director.
Washington, D. C.
DON'T FORGET THE CHILDREN.

Washington, d. c., April S.-Chil
dren are among the greatest sufferers
of war. They get less to eat. less to
wear and less recreation. Many of
them are put to work before they are
sufficiently mature; many become ia
therless, andNeven more become moth
erless, as their mothers take up the
task of earning the daily bread.
European nations have been amazed
at the tremendous amount of delin-
quency that has accompa MED these
conditions. 1t took them a long time
to recognize delinquency as a form of
rebellion-the rebellion of childhood
against a cruel and .neXplicable fate.
But now the state itself is doing as
much as possible to make amends.
France and Italy have adopted their
war orphans. Great Britain is super
vising the education of every British
child, and annually granting large
sums of money to be used in promot-
ing childrens recreation.
The example of European children
has made a great impression on child
welfare workers in this country. They
have made some rapid studies and
calculations. and they have decided
that SO far as it is within their power
the American child shall have a
square deal, war or no war. The chill
dren's bureau has combined forces
with the woman's committee of the
COuncll OIL NATIONAL DeIenSe TO LOOK
out for their interests.
| One of the most important interests
of the child, which is being neglected
| under the strain of war, is recreation.
| Psychologists agree that it is not SO
much a childs school hours as his
| play hours that develop his character.
! Hence. the overburdened condition of
| American penitentiaries should not
surprise those of US who know the
meager amount of recreation obtained
by some children. But for the most
part the significance of this fact is ig-
nored. Parents collectively refuse to
realize that healthy recreation facili-
| ties are as necessary to every com
munity as good drinking water.
AS soon as they do recognize it. and
| assume their share of the RESPONSE
| bility in the form of taxes. communi-
ties will vie with one another in main
tanning playground systems. and peo-
along without them. But in the
meantime there is still need for con-
siderable agitation.
Some of this agitation is about to
be furnished by the Woman's COM
mittee of the Council of National De-
Tense, thru its various local commit
tees. Committee members in all parts
of the country have been notified tc
investigate and report at once on loca
conditions affecting children.
City members have been called upon
to answer the following questions
concerning their cities: What neigh
borhoods have no play spaces within
easy reach? What outdoor recrea.
tional facilities are provided in sum.
mer, and what indoor facilities ir
winter? Are any attempts being made
to raise the standard of commercial
recreation? If the answers to thes,
questions are unsatisfactory. the city
membe is to get in touch with hel
state committee. and that organiza
ton will start campaign for the es
adjustment of the proper recreation
facilities.
The same sort of investigation ano
agitation is to be instituted in rura
districts Rural children are usual.
even poorer than city children in the
matter of Fairgrounds. Amateur
theatricals, organized athletics anC
games are much less common in the
country than in the city. The coun.
| try school house in many sections i.
the only means of bringing children
; together, and often even it's POSSIBLE
! ties as a social center are overlooked
What public facilities for recreation
may meal to children is shown by al
investigation recently made in the
city of Washington by the children
; bureau The first step in this inves
: tigati0I was to find out what tn,
spar hours. Thru Boy Scouts ant
Girl Scouts, and thru playground ant
settlement leaders, 1900 children
, we're quest oned. of whom SIS wer,
boys and ga were girls between tn
ages of 10 aRd-14 years
: TIE answers showed that nearly s.