The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-26
Playground Idea
Is Given Impetus
Mayor Ainslie and Others APP.
pear in Behalf of Movement.
Alvin Smith Heads Commit
tee.

Added impetus was given the play
grounds movement yesterday after
noon in the chamber of commerce.
when Mayor Ainslie. State Labor
Commissioner John Hirschberg. Ord
way Fuller, Alvin NJ. Smith. repre-
senting the Rotary club, Judge J,
Hoge Kicks. Of the juvenile and do
Joseph E. Sorg and Henry S. Hutzler,
representing the chamber of COM
merce; Stuart Ragland. representing
the Boy Scouts and Kiwanis club:
Roma c. Stearnes. representing the
War Camp Community service, and
others, representing women's and
civic organizations and churches APP
peared and spoke in behalf OF the
movement
Mayor Ainslie expressed sympathy
with the movement and called atten
council for Fairgrounds. which he re-
GREETED was $500 per year and no,
more. He called attention to the
fact that there are fourteen or fifteen
vacant pieces OF property In Rich
mond, owned by the city. which
could be used for Fairgrounds. pro-
vided a sufficient fund for equipping
and maintaining them was forthcom-
ing. He thought sufficient number
of well-to-do public spirited men
ought 10 be found who would be will
ling to augment the councils appro-
priation.
Judge Kicks stand on the play
grounds proposition is too well known
TO require reiteration here. He has
declared mare than once that play
grounds reduce child delinquency. and
he Is an ardent advocate for more
Fairgrounds.
Ordway Fuller would have the
city sell the Clark's Springs
property and, with the proceeds. pur-
chase sites for and equip several
Fairgrounds
Commissioner Hirschherg took the
stand that money derived from the
sale OF city property could not be
diverted into other channels. but has
to 60 into the sinking fund. However,
he favors the plan, an demphasized the
fact that Richmond IL backward in
the matter Of Fairgrounds and other
municipal advertisements and recreae-
ton centers. A city ordinance, he
said. provides that all moneys de-
rived from the sale of city property
go into the sinking fund.
Alvin Smith told OF a request made
to City Engineer Boiling to open the
lakes at William Byrd park AZ public
baths. Mr.. Boiling. he said. declared
he did not have the necessary author
ity. Request. he said, would have to
be made to the mayor, who, In turns
would refer 1t to his advisory board.
Director Stearnes. of the w. c. c.
s., pledged the support Of the SER
vice in any way that It could be util-
lied, and stressed the great need OF
recreation centers In Richmond.
Judge Kicks offered a motion to the
effect that a Fairgrounds association
be formed. Alvin Smith was elected
chairman Of such q committee. to
number six, and to which 10 delegated
the working out Of 4 general plan
of recreation work and which Ia en-
powered to enlarge itself by addition
Of an advisory board to be selected
by the committee.
large and representative gather
Ing was on hand, and the meeting was
an enthusiastic one. Concensus OF
opinion was that Fairgrounds would
be obtained, but that the fight Is 60
ing to be a stiff and uphill one.
The city fathers. it is said. take the
stand that they win have to be
shown" that the city really needs
more Fairgrounds. Those behind the
movement declare they are going to
leave. no stone unturned to show" the
council and the board OF aldermen
that Fairgrounds are crying necee-
sity and that no delay should mark
the obtaining OF them.
Round "Trip Norfolk el.ss virginia