The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1924-04-09

At the next November election, the
city is to vote on a bond issue of $780,
900 for municipal recreation.
The manufacturer who turned down
l. as the site for a great industrial
plant was prompted to his decision
not by any queer notions of philan-
thropy or feeling of paternalism to-
wards his employees, but by the sound
est of business considerations.
He was among that steadily grow
ing number of executives who have
recognized the fact that proper facil-
tiles for recreation outside the factory
walls have direct bearing on the
cost and efficiency of the processes
carried on by workers within those
walls.
During the war days, had an OPP
portunity of serving as chairman OF
the war camp community service IN
Moline, Ill. With armistice and sub
sequent rehabilitation, it was felt
that a service which we had needed
while building for war, we now dou-
bly, needed while rebuilding for peace.
Consequently, the Playground and
Recreation Association of America
was invited to assist in establishing
an adequate community recreation
program. The project is now in OF
Grafton and has proved a great sue
cess, with constantly expanding acti-
vities.
From our experience in community
recreation activities in Moline, l can
say that no money can be spent to
better advantage in promoting health
er citizenship and making for increas-
ed efficiency than by supporting such
work.
The management of a great cotton
mill in the South recently report ed
that Notwithstanding the fact tnat
community service reaches every class
of citizenship, it renders service tC
corporations that money cannot buy
Our employees have shown their ap-
probation of the many advantages ir
having such an organization; and as
for ourselves, we can clearly see afte,
two years observation that to dror
or dispense with the service would
be fatal mistake"
The Illinois legislature approved
last year bill granting to cities and
towns under 100000 population GER
tain powers not previously enjoyed
for establishing locally adequate play
ground and recreational facilities. In
it's effect on the Industrial and social
life Of our state, | consider the med
sure one of the most constructive
passed during the entire session. 1t
now remains for the forward looking
citiZenry of each community to make
effective it's provisions.
With the shortening of the hours of
labor, workers now enjoy greater lei
sure than ever before. And no plant
manager can afford to be wholly m
different to the conditions under which
the many men and women in his en-
ploy spend these hours.
The establishment and maintenance
of adequate play facilities for spare
time is measure as needed for the
upkeep of the morale of the human
element in industry. as the protection
by insurance of the more material
things as buildings and machinery.
| do not wish to suggest any pat
ernal attitude on the part of employ
ers. In fact, purely company COLI
troll of welfare activities may defeat
its own end and cause irritation tC
workers rather than bring content
ment and efficiency.
But such difficulty is avoided and
at the same time successful activities
are carried on through plan of re-
creation under the auspices of the
community at large, financed either
by the municipality or when this is
not Immediately practicable, supported
L L
Recreation on the community plan