The Washington times., 1918-05-15
MAY OPEN ALL
D. c. SCHOOLS.
TO Be CENTERS
OF RECREATION.
by BILL PRICE.

tional entertainment to all young peo-
pie of Washington. through the Open
ing Of every public school in the Dis
trict, is a plan which Commissioner
Gardiner is working out and will soon
submit TO the District Commissioners
for action and later to the Board OF
Education and Congress.
The spirit which actuated the Com.
missioners in raising the lid" against
Sunday baseball in this city moves
Nj. Gardiner in desiring to find a
comprehensive plan that will permit
younE people, especially the thou.
sands OF strangers here and still to
come. TO enjoy amusement and enter
tainment under the chaperonaEe. Of
hcial or voluntary, Of respected
women.
Dance Halls Doubtful.
Mr.. Gardiner has been making a
personal investigation OF the influence
Of dance halls in Washington, and
he is not smitten with the idea that
they. as a rule, AFFORD beneficial rec
rcation for young people. He has re-
ceived letters and police information
on this subject and followed these
with personal trips TO some OF these
halls
He has definitely reached the conclu-
sion that the best results can be OBJ
tained through municipal opening Of the
schools for dances and community enter
tairments that will draw the young peo-
pic under proper environment and the
best social atmosphere.
Congress recognized the community
center idea several years ago by making
appropriations that enabled the Board Of
Education to pay small salaries to COM
munity secretaries for their work at a
number OF schools in the District. The
Central High School, one OF the finest
buildings OF its kind in the world. was
only recently opened as a community
CeEter and will continue TO invite young
people there At various times each week.
The existing appropriations are barely
sufficient, however. to open a small pro-
portion Of the school buildings Of Wash
lngton 10 community activities that will
include reCreatiOnaI amusement for the
Young and 10 arrange for similar activl-
ties for all OF them is big but necessary
job which Mr.. Gardiner feels will receive
widespread encoura cement.
Mr.. Gardiner would open every
school building in the District. with
out exception, giving to the coIored
population every facility possible for
enjoying themselves under proper re-
straint and chaperonaEe.
While the House has passed the
District appropriation bill without
contemplation Of any such extension
of community center work as Mr.
Gardiner has in mind, the Commits
siOner hopes to be able to present the
subject to the Senate Appropriation
Committee so that funds will be made
available.
school Board As Recourse.
Should he fail in his endeavors with
the Senate. he will try to work out
plans by which the Board OF Eduva-
ton will consent to opening the
school buildings to amusements un.I
der the auspices OF citizens assoc!a-
tiOns or voluntary chaperones
Where it has been possible TO pay
salaries TO community secretaries
from the comparatively small funds
provided by Congress the greatest
success has been obtained in all
kinds OF activities. Except for the
expense OF a paid secretary the other
expenses are not large. Lighting and
heat are paid from nun pal funds.
but the janitOrs OF buildings must be
privately paid something like So each
n ght for the extra service OF looking
U
Education often grants special per
mits fOr special gatherings at school
buildings. with the understanding
that the JsnitOrs be paid for their
services. These permits are general
" to organizations which have suf
fcient standing to assure that the
buildings will be protected
Mr.. Gardiner believes that n Con
gressionaI aid cannot be had he can
arrange through citizens associa-
tions and other bodies to provide
Voluntary chaperonage by the selec.
ton OF good women in each com
munity who will aid and direct the
Young people at dances. Ir neces-
sary 10 defray the small expenses he
would propose the charging OF a
nominal admission.
: large number OF the best known
oneT OF Washington arc interested
in the development along the most
whOlcsoIr" lines OF recreational pleas
Urcs Tor young strangers and resi- +.
dents q the city. Mrs. Baker. wife
n the Secretary OF War. and Miss
Margaret Wilson are among these
Miss Wilson has worked for years
TO bring about the Legislative recoE- F..
milton OF the community activities
already authorized by Congress. 4
Social and church workers in Wash 4
InEtOn almost unanimously hold the
view that II the moral tone OF the rity .
j. to b. kept at a high standard. and
y Oung people brought into association
with the best people under the wisest
steps must be promptly
taken in every possible direction.
Many instances are known 70 Mr..
and others OF young girls in
without friends because
they do not know where to turn with
out possible trouble and criticism.
Temptations befalI them a. every step.
With each community a unit in or
Zanized activities for bringing them
together under ideal circumstances
The problem is solved
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