The Connecticut labor news., 1924-12-27
By International Labor News Service

By International Labor News Servic.
 New York, Dec. 27.-Some 3,30 leaders in American life, includin, many labor union executives, hav signed statement of 21 fundamental in community receration, made public by the Playground and Recreation Association of America.
 The fundamentals are based on tht associations experience of IS years during which the number has increased from 41 to 680. One hundred anc twenty-five college presidents, g labor leaders, and numerous manufacturers governors, senators, mayors, authors and prominent women have signed the code.
 Public Support of Play Is Urged.
 The fundamentals are as follows:
 l. That in nearly every community with population of 5000 or more. there is need of man or woman who shall give full time to thinking, planning and working for the best possible use of the leisure hours of men, women and children.
 2. That community leisure time pro- grams should continue throughout the entire F months of the year. < }. That it is the responsibility of the entire community to maintain recreation opportunity for al ithe citi- zens and that there ought, therefore, to be, as nearly as possible, support of the recreation program through public taxation under some department of the local government
 Would Give Cities Authority to Act. A. That there should be in every < state home rule bill which will per init the people of any city or town to make provision under their local gov ernment for the administrations of their community recreation.
 5. That there is need ill every com munity, even though the municipal recreation administrative body be most effective for private organization of citizens in their neighborhoods to make the fullest use of the facilities provided, to make sure that what is being done is meeting the deeper needs of the people of the -neighbor- hood. 6. That the emphasis ought to be not only on maintaining certain activ- ities on playgrounds and in recreation centers but also and definitely on the training of the entire people i'll leisure time activities, so that within the home, in the church and throughout all natural, human relationships there shall be the best opportunity for wholesome good times.
 Purpose Should Be to Create Happiness
 z. That the purpose in training chill \ dren and young people in the right use E of leisure ought not to be merely to fill up the idle hours but also to create Ian active, energetic, happy citizenship. g. That even though the beginning Moi a city or town recreation program De children's playgrounds other feat pres ought to be added progressively from year to year until music, dra- natic activities and discussion of pub c questions, training for more intel ectual uses of spare time, and other laluable activities have been included that all ages and all kinds of people bay find vital interest,
 9. That every boy and every girl
 America ought to be trained to how well certain limited number of
 mes for use outdoros and indoors,
 that there will never be occasion any boy or any girl to say that he n not think of anything to do.
 Would Teach Children to Sing.
 10. That most boys and girls should
 taught few simple songs, so that,
 they wish, they may sing as they
 rk or play.
 That all employed boys and
 |s should have opportunity in their
 hours to enjoy companionship and
 lesome social life.
 That through the community re-
 tion program every boy and girl
 i'd come to appreciate the beauti
 life.
 ols to Become Recreation Centers.
 That adults, through music,
 "a, games, athletics, social activi-