New-York tribune., 1918-04-16
In Cincinnati
To the Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: My lecture in Cincinnati was on "Ear-
cation Through Play" This was discussion
OF the school Fairgrounds of Germany.
France, England and America as basis
for certain recommendations in regard to
improvements in the Fairgrounds of that
city.
The title of my lecture was not an.
nounced, and after l had spoken for few
minutes on the Fairgrounds of Germany
certain teachers became impressed with the
thought that l was making a pro-German
ADDRESS and telcphoned to the supern.
tendent and others TO that effect.
This lecture covers essentially the same
ground as my book on "Education Throroh
Play." The syllabus of it@was issued two
years ago by the University of California
and large part of the American section
was issued by the Bureau of Education &c
"The Reorganized School Playground" I
have given this lecture at the majority Of
the larger universities and normal schools
of the country, at ten state teachers asso-
cations and at many teachers institutes
and other meetings. 1t has the Judgment of
many thousands of teachers and it has
never been spoken of as disloyal. It was
followed in Cincinnati by vigorous applause.
The methods which | approved in con-
nection with German Fairgrounds were:
That the German teachers were expected to
assist IN organizing the play of their chill
dren; the frequent recesses in German
schools, and the walking trips of German
children. Compulsory attendance of Ger
man children on the Fairgrounds was
spoken of without either approval or dis.
approval.
Contrary to the report in the papers, l
made no reference whatever to German
schools outside of the play developments
did not even mention the question Of
child labor in England, but said | regarded
the Fairgrounds of the English preparatory
and public schools as the best in the world
made no criticism of American schools
and none of American Fairgrounds, except
TO suggest the programme Of Improvement
IN the Fairgrounds of Cincinnati which
had prepared for the board This recon-
mendation included the enlarging of exist
ing grounds or securing larger sites wher-
ever possible, the grading of grounds and
sub-dralnlng to a not more than per cent
grade, and the surfacing with some ms-
terial suitable to play upon.
In view of the fact that my lecture was
on Education Through Play" the state
ment that l gave this because | thought
Cincinnati was a German city is absurd. All
the criticisms that have appeared in the
papers are apparently made from hearsay
reports of the first ten minutes of my ad-
dress.
This account has gone widely over the
country, and l therefore take this occasion
to state that, so far as know, have not
even remote ancestor that comes from
Germany; that throughout this war l have
taken part in every war actively to which
was eligible and which my finances per-
mitted; that I expect to go to France in
the fall to help in the organization OF
recreation among the soldiers, if pass the
doctor.
l have admired, and still admire. certain
German methods in connection with organ
lzed play, continuation schools. social IN
surance, etc. l doubt if we shall win the
war by throwing over everything that has
come to US from the enemy. But since Ger
many has perpetrated such nameless atrocl-
ties on Belgium and Northern France
have ceased to regard her as civilized
country. 1 have often said that believe
the Kaiser and the General Staff, or VINO
ever is responsible for these, as we'll as 50
many other outrages of the war, ought IN
justice to be tried by an internatiohs'
tribunal and executed if found guilty.
In regard to play. Germany has been WISE
IN many of her methods of promotion; ous
her play has been lacking in play spirit, na'
been militaristic in purpose, and almost en-.
tlrely lacking in sportsmanship. iacA
which she has shown throughout the wal,
II these sentiments are dsloyalty then
am guilty. HENRY S. CURTIS.
olivet. Mich, April -. 1918.