Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-26
HEARTILY |NDORSE
PLAYGROUND PLAN
AT MASS-M|EET|NG
Citizens Will Form Organi-
zatiOn to Advocate Ade-
quate Recreation System.
SELECT ALVIN M. SMITH
AS PERMANENT CHAIRMAN
Propose Association Shall Confer
and Cooperate With City
Planning Commission.
PASSING OF HAT" is SCORNED
speakers Declare Taxes. Not Private
Gifts, Should Support Movement
by City.
SELECT ALVIN M. SMITH
AS PERMANENT CHAIRMAN
PASSING OF HAT" is scoRNED
speakers Declare Taxes. Not Private
Gifts, Should Support Movement
by City.

Alvin NJ. Smith. president OF the
mith-Courtncy Co. and vice presiden,
OF the Broadway National Bank. was
MADE permanent chairman Of the Rich
mono playground committee at an en-
thus!as,ic mass-mecting Of representa-
i've citizens in the auditorium of the
chamber OF Commerce yesterday after
noon at O'Clock.
with Mr.. Smith is left the selection
OF an associate committee Of six who
VIII determine upon the character of
the organization and the policy 10 be
pursued in connection with securing
additional playground and recreatiofI
facilities for the children Of Richmond.
Meeting l. Representative.
me unanimous election of Mr.. Smith
nptlowed the adoption of resolution
,ion follows:
BE II resolved. That it is the sense
OF this mass meeting tina, AN orr,n{
zation shall be formed. TO be known
as the Playground and Recreation AS
sociation OF Richmond. That said as
planning commission and offer its
nearly support and cooperation in
WORKING out a system OF parks. play
grounds and community centers and
20 on. TO the end that our returned
soldiers and sailors. all other young
men ana Young women and tho childre n
Of the city shall have racreationaI IA :
ciItes adequate 10 their need.r
Besides substantial business men of
tticamond. social workers and rep-e-
sentatives Of womcn's organizations in
terestcd In civic bettcrment, a mum Der
OF members OF the City Council and
State officials were present at the
ma ssmeeting.
Mayor speaks First.
MAJOR George Ainsiie made the open
ing address and made {, plain that the
initial demands OF the playground
movement for the privilege OF bathing
In one OF the smaller lakes in Byrd
"s uis the Of ey snEae Taees ssi
the benefit OF the children and the use
OF seyera! vacant lots belonging 10 the
city could easily be secured through n
He advocated. however, financing the
playground project by popular sub
creased appropriation from the city
treasury.
Support in the matter Of passing the
hat in this connection was not accord :
ed the Mayor by other speakers who
did not fail 10 express their emphatic
d!sapproval OF this method OF tnanc-
ing a proposition for the permanent
good OF the children of Richmond,
which. 1t was declared. should have
been the first consideration in making
UP the budget.
Exception to Statement.
The Mayors statement tina, $4,000
was dNtl!dDic IOT INe plaSsrOunI a
budget was also questioned by num-
ber OF men present, who declared that
their understanding was TO the effect
that only $500 was available this
year after the budget was trimmed
down"
Among those who took exception 10
this statement OF the Mayor was Su-
perintendent OF Parks j. Humphrey
several times interrupted by Mr. Calder,
who was sitting we'll down in front
repeated But you'll get your $4,000"
The Mayor admitted that the situa-
ton in Richmond was bad and that
Richmond children were starving for
play. which was essential 20 their
strong sound. healthy development as
food.
Alvin NJ. Smith was the first speaker
following the Mayor 10 voice the SEN
timeat of the meeting relative 10 the
financing of the playground proposition
Funds From Taxation.
Mr. Smith declared that the money
should come out OF the city taxes. since
the Fairgrounds were for the benefit
of all the people OF Richmond He
strenuously opposed passing the hat"
for money to finance movement which
was obviously OF immeasu value
to the citizenship of Richmond
The example set by other cities was
quoted by MIR. Smith as ample pre-
cedent for Richmond in the matter of
dispensing for this summer at least
with the need of bath houses in Byrd
Park, The free use OF tents. however.
for this purpose has been offered by a
Richmond firm.
Alderman Ordway Puller also took
issue with the Mayor in the matter OF
kapporting the Fairgrounds by ponuIr
subscription. declaring emphatlcally
fas the funds should come wholly and
sSfely out of the public treasury"
alderman Puller further explained
thht the sale of the Clarke Springs
arnperty might be advisable
The tract contains about twenty six
acres are used for playground pur-
:~Hes and it is in an isolated situa-
!trn.
would Bring $4,000.
rhe property would bring $4,000.
declared the Alderman. The city is
losing every year the interest on this
amount, according to Mr. Puller, who
further stated that about ten plav-
grounds would meet Richmond's need
at present. and he made rapid csti-
mate Of what he would be able to
accomplish with $4,000 in the pur-
chase of sites and equipment neces-
Sary
Repeated applause interrupted Mr..
Puller, who promised his support and
influence in securing adequate funds
for Fairgrounds when next years bud
get came up for consideration by the
n. C. Stearncs. head of the war camp
community service. then spoke in be-
half Of the movement and its import
ance, presenting statistics showing
what other cities had done in fnanc-
ing their Fairgrounds.
Henry s. HutZler expressed the senti-
ments OF the Richmond Chamber of
Commerce in approval of the play
ground movement and cooperation.
Tells OF benefit Of Play.
rD. T. M. Murren president of
the Richmond Academy OF Medicine
CONTINUED on Second Page.l