The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-28
MAKE PENSACOLA 4 BETTER To..N.


that the Community Service has already made for
itself in Pensacola realizing that through
lied effort. the needs OF the community along recre
ational lines most fully be met are asking the
support of the people for the continuance Of COM
munity service here.
In the minds of many, community service has
come to stand for something directly connected with
the world war; and for that reason to some it seems
to appear that with the end of the war the useful
ness OF the service comes to end.
But the community service did not spring into
being during the war It preceded the war for many
years. 1t functioned with the war, under the name
of the War Camp Community Service, but it must
be remembered that the w. c. c. S. was an out
growth Of the Playground Association of America
or if not its direct descendant. closely allied to it.
There is no city of any size today in the United
States which does not have its protected recrea-
tional centres Pensacola knows the need Of these
fully, at all times, but in the summer months most
particularly for Pensacola is great outdoor play
ground
There are comparatively few who have either leis-
ure enough or wealth enough to leave Pensacola
any great interval Of time, for their recreation
most of US spend our days year in and year out in
home town.
Peculiarly blessed it is by nature, having means
for innocent pleasures afforded by few cities
where in the world the people do not need to leave
Pensacola to enjoy to the fullest boating and bath
ing, and other outdoor sports which make life not
only more pleasant but more healthful.
But the past has proven that the recreational cen
tres be protected here. in other cities, if the
people are to feel safe in allowing their families to
partake in the many recreations, innocent in them
selves but needing supervision, to keep them the
right plane
No one who remembers the way the Playground
work was conducted here under the auspices Of the
Playground Association deny that it kept
apparent all the time, and will be apparent
this summer. with the increase in population
The statement has been openly made by officials
ranking high the navy that Pensacola is the ideal
place for destroyer base. but Will hardly become
SUCH until greater attention paid to the protec
ton Of the of the navy. when they off duty
Bear in mind that there is absolutely criticism Of
Pensacola bay, its location, the climatic conditions
all of these are acknowledged to be Of the best But
naval officials nave declared that if Pensacola wants
to be a permanent base. they must look after the
boys in their hours of recreation.
One of these naval officials, speaking personally to
the writer. absolutely specific in his recommen-
dations. He said:
These boys are most of them just out of the
school-room; we are bringing them up; it is not
only up to us to teach them naval tactics, but we
have to teach them how to be men; we have to do
our best to take the place of their guardians at
home Those boys need recreation. But they must
be protected during their leave on shore. They want
to play just like other boys. Why does not Pensa-
cola wake up to fact that those boys want some
wholesome fun just as other boys do? Pensacola
could easily float three hundred destroyers this
great bay: the would like to make their homes
here; to have this the home port to which they
could come when off duty; to raise their families
here: but how can they do it unless you give them
projections"
Youth is going to have its fling. We all know
that. They are going to laugh and play, sing and
dance swim and drive it is impossible to keep youth
shut up in the narrow cage of convention. We may
not approve Of some Of their amusements, person
ally, but unless we BIASED have to face facts
And the great outstanding fact is that youth will
seek youth; that they going to play. The ques-
ton is it better to let them play in the right en-
vironment, or shall we drive them to the wrong en-
vironment?
Pensacola is becoming commercialized. 1t is get
ting TO be a great industrial CENTER it is reaching
out after world trade. It wants to become great
naval industrial and shipping center. But do not
want to put the almighty dollar before the spiritual
life of the community
other cities in the country. they grow, erect
protection for the young. Is Pensacola going to fail
in its manifest duty?
With the community service in Pensacola would
mean permanent army and Navy Club; support of
the American Legion eventually it is believed that it
would lead to a community building, which would
be a real center: The community service works in
conjunction with the Y NJ C. a and the Y. w. C. A..
it would help to foster both For it is just what its
name denotes: community service; help in what
the community.