Evening star., 1923-09-25
MRS. RHODES URGES
BOOKS AND LIGHTS
FOR FAIRGROUNDS
Also Proposes Kitchens, More
Pools, Shops, Shelter Houses
and More Space.

Establishment of branch libraries on
all Fairgrounds was one of nine recon-
mendations made by Mrs. Susie Root
Rhodes. supervisor, in her annual re-
port submitted to Commissioner Oyster
today.
The other eight suggestions for i'm
proving the recreational system of the
city are:
That Fairgrounds be equipped with
lights and kept open at night.
That more federal reservations be
made available for organized play.
That additional provision be made for
swimming-not only more outdoor pools
for summer use. but inside pools for
winter.
That shelter houses or open-air halls
be built on all grounds now in opera
ton.
Lessons in Cooking.
That school kitchens be opened in
summer and nearby playground children
be given cooking lessons as an occupa-
tional recreation.
That more Fairgrounds be made part
Ol tue DTODOStu DOIlu ISSUE Plol 1OI
the District
That each church or Sunday school
interested become responsible for the
ground nearest the church.
That the shops of the elementary
schools be opened during vacation tc
give the children on nearby grounds
instruction in woodwork.
Records Three MiIlIen Visits.
Mrs. Rhodes stated that during the
last fiscal year the number of visits
to the Fairgrounds by children
totaled 2,ss4,ssS.
The increase" she said. "wat
marked and very largely due to in
mer there was an average daily at
tendance of 10000 children
In her report Mrs. Rhodes gives
full credit to Commissioner Oyster
for the inaugura ton of the plan of
opening schoolyards as Fairgrounds
during the months when schools are
closed.
Three years ago Capt. Oyster
launched the movement by calling
for private subscriptions to provide
directors for the schoolyards. Con.
gregF then needed a request fol
funds ard for the past two year.
even more schoolyards have beer
kept open through a congressiona
appropriation.
| Summary of Needs.
Summing up the needs of her de-
partment. Mrs. Rhodes said:
There is no factor more notent in
determining the character of the flu.
ture citizen than play. The leisure
problem is a distinct social problem
comparable in Importance to. public
education. The greatest lessons in
life are learned in organized play
obedience. cooperation. team work
respect for the rights of others, al
desirable qualities in the coming citi.
zen.
''Since the park Fairgrounds are
far more attractive to the child thar
any other. 1t is fair to conclude thai
every Park should have a playground
for children. We need additional
maintenance to keep our grounds in
better repair that they may rank
nearer in appearance with our parks
Location of Grounds.
Fairgrounds should be wfthir
walking distance of every girl anC
boy. as most children cannot AFFORD
to pay car fare. here must be su
Play is almost the only method o,
physical DEVELOPMENT for city chill
dren and We rust provide for it IL w,
would have ,hc children strong anC
law ABIDING
Our needs are many-new grounds
perm nent grounds. increased appro
p~ia-''ns for the maintenance o.
3 runus. more directors and assist
ANTS and living wages for those al
+ ady N our employ. We would EN-
PHI sig the accepted opinion that tn,
salary OF the playground worke
should equal the salary of the ele
montary school teacher
"One of the most encouraging
things to. US is that the churches ar,
expressing an interest dn recreation
and the use of the leisure time of tn.
children