Evening star., 1919-11-13

sistants working under him, aud in most
cities from 41e0 q mshth to @2,5o0 a year
is being paid for one in this capacity.
Here we pay. SIS per month.
name would imply. in charge Of the
play activities of the children, teaching
games, Industrial classes, etc. The saI-
ary ranges In other cities from $75 per
month to 1880 per year. Here we pay
$50 per month.
'"The play leader is employed for the
summer months. We often have college
boys and girls spending their vacation
in washington who do this work. Other
cities pay from SIS a month to $1,50U.
Here we pay $50 per month.
THE playground supervisor, in
charge of training class in Washing
ton. became necessary in order to
keep up the standard of the work.
Those applying for positions not hav-
ing had previous playground train
Ing are put into an apprentice class,
where the usual playground games,
sports. hand work, singing and dane
ing games are taught before the ap-
plicant may be appointed to q posi-
tion in the department. Normal
classes are continued throughout the
year for the most part twice d week,
giving opportunity for development
teaching of methods along with the
activities. Thus we have on our
grounds staff of well trained work
ers. This position would be equal
to that of director of athletics Other
cities pay from $ts00 to s2.500. In
Washington we have no statutory
salary and must pay as skilled laborer
from very limited maintenance
fund. The need for such training
class may be more apparent if 1 tell
you that since 1917 we have lost tflir-
ty-eight directors, eighteen assistant
directors. fifteen assistants. twelve
watchmen and five Office people, all
going ifito higher-sal positions.
Cost of Living Increases.
"Dr. Royal Meeker of the bureau of
labor statistics, has estimated that
the increase cost of living in the Dis
about 80 per cent; since 1916 the in
crease has been 45 per cent
Miss Norton's Statement.
Miss Norton said:
by the act Of Congress of March
| 4, 1916. the administrative RESPONSE
bflity of the board of education was
extended to include provision for the
use OF public school buildings and
tional purposes, Civic meetings for
the free discussion of public ques-
tions, social centers. centers of recre-
March 8. ls17. the initial appropri!
alton was made for the payment OF
the necessary expenses required for
carrying out the purposes of that or
ganic act.
The board of education thersupon
adopted the policy recommended by
the bureau Of education for general
adoption throughout the United
States, but as yet not consistently
put into operation elsewhere than in
the District of Columbia. of recog-
nizing the proper responsibility of
the adult citizens residing within n
local neighborhood, when duly organ
ized into one all-inclusive commun-
ity association, to control their ac-
tivities in school Buildings desisfiat-
ed to be used as thtir community
center. and to be served in this use
by a public official of their own
choosing. who. under this adult COM
munity association, and with such as
sistants as the work might require.
should direct the extra school uses
to be made of the property by the
young people Of the neighborhood and
supervise It's use for occasional or
special purposes by privately formed
organizations, groups or classes.