Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-22

most attractive one and was fur
nished by the Womans Club.
The meeting was followed by fine
program which consisted of music
by the junior orchestra. under the
direction of Miss Eva Towne, and
speaking by Charles Ernst, com
munity orga nicer for community
service. which is for the purpose of
/ making leisure time of more advan-
tages TO individuals and the COM
munity.
George L. Vose. president Of the
| Chamber of Commerce, presided
and first introduced Rev. Charles r.
| Robinson, who has been interested
: in thepla yground work since its in
ception in the city.
/ Mr.. Robinson spoke briefly on
The Future of the Playground for
Waterville." Mr.. Robinson said he
! had worked with people for the last
few years in an effort to secure di-
rected play for the children. He be-
lieved that directed play was an an
tidote for the seeds of vice and
crime sewed by INSTRUCTED play on
the streets.
The first movement of public play
grounds in Waterville was started
under the administration of Mayor
F. E. Boothby and the next year a
group of people salvaging what ap-
paratus they could from the year be-
. fore started real directed play for
the children. Mr.. Robinson paid
great tribute to George Beach from
New Bedford, Mass, who did the
| hardest kind OF constructive work
which was the real foundation of
the work. For the last two years
George w. Burrill and Miss Beulah
Towne have had charge of the
work.
In referring to the future Mr.. Robin
son said the playground movement is
no longer an experiment in Waterville
The swimming tank. he said. is no
longer disable and for future work
new one should De provided. He cited
the fact that were a permanent tanA
provided il should be in place owned
by the city. He also said that there
should be at least three Fairgrounds
provided, as the city is so long. He
spoke OF possible locations at Grove and
Water streets, at the gravel pit on Oak
street and the rear of the Bangs es-
tate. Further, he said he hoped in the
future the old buildings in and around
Charles street might be cleared out and
beautiful city park and wading pool
established. In speaking of swimming
Mr.. Robinson said adequate bathing
river front. which with the three play
ground would make fine plant.
Before introducing the next speaker
Charles F. Ernst of New York. Mr.. Vose
spoke Of the Necessity OF playground
work and gave a good deal Of the credit
for the start of the work OF Mrs. F. f.
Boothby and to the Woman's Club. He
said he hoped other organizations would
assist in the work. That the city gov
eminent would be asked this year fo-
$50 instead of the usual amount OF SEQ
/ and that he should recommend to the
| Chamber of Commerce TO do something
| to assist in the work.
| Mr.. Ernes, characterized play as
something different. Different individ-
! uals have different methods Of recrea-
! ton. But play must attract and also il
must satisfy and il. must have pur
pose. In answer TO a QUESTIONABLE sent
| 20 1850 pupils in Portsmouth. \. H.. as TO
what they would like the city to do for
| them this summer. so OF them answered
"a swimming tank"
| He divided play into several groups
| of natural impulse. such as adven-
ture. conquest. companionship, self
advancement and self expression. the
latter Of which he said is at the bot
tom of all the others.
He explained why supervision over
all these natural impulses saves
young people many times from
| wrong doing..as many children taken
to the police court and dubbed stub
born child" are merely children who
have been deprived Of the opportun-
ity of self expression.
Mr.. Ernst said if foreigners could
be taken" made to belong, to be
accepted nto the play, the problem
Of differentiation would soon be
solved.
The purpose Of supervised play
| among the children is not to teach
them how to be strong. nor to be the
biggest muscled but to team them up
with the rest. to have self control. to
take the initiative and be leaders.
In closing Mr.. Ernst said he wanted
to impress two things, first. TO offer
the children an opportunity to play
and second to provide leadership.
The committee which had charge
Of the supper arrangements consisted
of Mrs. Sanger Annis, chairman;
Mrs. HI. B. Dinsmore. Mrs. George
Ball, Mrs. c. L. Jones. Mrs. Wallace
West. Mrs. Harry ]. Smith. Mrs.
Alice E. Haskell. Mrs. Katherine
Taylor. Mrs. Frank Austin. Mrs.
George G. Williams and Doris Bun
ker. The ladies all wore natty caps
| with bands across them on which
was the word Fairgrounds"
: Ne .Woman's Club distributed