Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-24
WILMINGTON'S GREAT NEED.

WILMINGTON'S GREAT NEED.
One of the few movements which has
been started since war days which viii
bear fruit in future years is the pro-
vision for the establishment of COM
munity centers in various portions of
Wilmington.
The Wilmington Community Service.
which is backing this movement, is
trying to provide Fairgrounds and meet
ing houses in every section of the city.
\ good start has been made. The city
now owns four buildings, adjacent to
Fairgrounds. which may be put to such
service. These buildings are located at
Third and Madison, Fourth and Pine
streets, Christiana Field, and Eden
Park.
Near each place neighborhood asso-
Citations have been formed. When more
money is available, the houses in ques-
tion will be fitted up with indoor play
grounds. branch libraries. kindergar-
tens. and club rooms for boys and girls,
and men and women Clinics may be
established for the assembling of health
/ information. and halls will be set aside
for the use Of any group which wishes
TO thresh out public questions.
These community centers are TO be
free from political or, sectarian infu-
ence. and are TO be the property of the
people as a whole. Besides providing
places for the young ID enjoy them
| selves, they will furnish something
which Wilmington woefuIly lacks to-
day-forums which are truly open to
the public
We can pirate all we wish about dem
| ocracy. but democracy cannot flourish
without proper expression Of public
opinion. The churthes, because Of GER
tain limitations. cannot offer a medium
for such expression. The schools can
not. The newspapers make an attempt
to do so, and succeed better than any
other agency. But the free play Of
opinion is all TOO often lacking in Amer
lean life.
In the smaller cities town hall meet
ings are held and every public matter
Is given free and fair hearing. The
larger cities are copying this method
now. New York recently lopened what
is called The Town Hail." which any
group may rent for a night TO discuss
any problems. A few large cities have
established series OF community cen
tres. St Louis is one city which has
made great success Of them. Be
sides serving as recreational agencies
for the neighborhood. those places are
used as forums whenever a public mat
ter. such as a bond issue. is being con
sidered. On one night sometimes as
many as fourteen different centres viii
be discussing the same matter, which
affects the entire community. That is
about the nearest approach 10 democ-
racy that we have in America.
The opening Of these community cen
tres will eventually cause an improve
ment in the health and the morals Of
our citizens. II Will spread a little more
JOY through every strata OF life. II Will |
give the spirit OF democracy the oppor- |
tunity 70 make itself felt. 1t viii |
cause all classes 10 grow nearer to- |
gether, and to acknowledge that the |
welfare Of each affects the welfare of all. !
The opening of these community |
halls should not be hindered by lack of |
funds. Nor should the work stop with |
only four halls being provided. There |
is room. and need, for more Of them !
We learned during war time |
how 10 work together; now is the time |
10 learn how to play together. The |
results will be felt now, and also in /
the years 70 come.