Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-21
Taco Boys Club Buildings
Held Needed in Washington
Field Secretary of Boys
Clubs VOices Vie,U
After Study.
Funds Asked for Struc-
lures for White and
COIOred Youths.

Washington needs the two boys club
buildings for which friends of the youth
of the city have asked the aid OF the
Public Works Administration.
Such, in any event, Is the opinion
of Arthur T. Burger. field secretary,
Boys Clubs of America, Inc, who has
made a special study of conditions in
the Capital
THE two projects are twin sides OF
the same COIN" he said in an interview
yesterday. Both are required. but the
investment they will represent will pay
abundant dividends in terms of in
creased morale and social spirit among
the boys Of the city"
The proposed club for white boys IS
planned for construction on site near
Sixth street and South Carolina avenue
southeast: the club for colored boys
would be erected on District-owned
property at Ninth and Euclid streets
The total cost has been estimated at
$357,500 Frank r. Jelleff, president;
Boys Club of Washington, heads the
list of sponsors. and the appeal to
Public Works Administrator Ickes for
the necessary grant of funds was in
dorsed by Maj. Gen. Herbert B. Crosby,
acting president of the old Board OF
Commissioners, which passed out OF
existence Thursday following the Undue
ton of Commissioners Melvin c. Hazen
and George e. Allen.
Welcome at All Times.
Mr.. Burger explained the functions
of the ideal boys club institution. THE
idea" he said, lis to provide a place
where boys may go at any time they
have leisure; to furnish, not a one
hour or one-day- a-week program, bat
place that welcomes the boy at any
and all times. The technique of boy
culture Is built around the use OF rec
reational and vocational activities as
natural basis for constructive infiu-
ence. Wholesome pursuits are offered,
not as mere entertainment and amuse-
ment, but as a means of reaching the
boy to train the man of the future
Boys clubs are non-sectarian, all
boy organizations. There are no re-
Strictions of ages, creeds or dues Fees
are low-usually only a few cents per
month or year.
Programs are not standardized. Each
club makes use of the activities found
most effective with its boys. The goal
is that of meeting their natural and
wholesome wants A qualified and re-
sponsihle staff supervises all activities,
but the atmosphere is kept free from
adult tyranny. The focal centers of
the whole work are the normal inter-
ests and impulses OF the average grow
ing boy. The club furnishes an out
let for boy spirit and enthusiasm. In
club athletic groups, vocational classes
and other activities the boy has
chance to express the best that is in
him.
Spare Time Headquarters.
Most boys are happy only when they
are busy. 1t is when youngster is in
quest of something to do that he
drifts into gang mischief and other dill
doultiss. Tine boys clph is q spare
lime HEADQUARTERS, where there always
is something interesting going on. IL
attraction Tor the city street eve, de-
ViSeu.'"
lar. Burger believes Lilat washington
Is far behind other cities In establish
ing and maintaining boys club centers.
Only about IA per cent of the boys
of the Capital have access TO club ia
cilities, and the existing buildings and
equipment are inadequate. III
Boys are like other people," Mr..
Burger declared. "They respond TO
the same attractions. If you want
them to be comfortable In their meet
ing place, that place must be con-
strllcted and furnished in the right
way. There are many boys club ac-
tiyities which cannot be carried on with
success in a school room. There is
world of difference between the club
and the school, and the boys realize
the fact. What they wish is a real
club environment, fitted up in line
with their ideas of the proper thing.
Other communities have found that
there is vast economic and social
profit in boys club enterprise. For ex-
ample, it costs about SIS a year to
give lad club advantages, but ABOUT
$400 year to keep man In jail.
The question Is, which is the better
investment? And there can be but one
ssrs.hls answer
Critics complain that n the United
States tas crGcs problem = = problem
az youth. It 12s baer. estimated llat
20 per cent Ct al ttass apr-ehendec
By TIE police are IS years 81 age AID
uzce-. Not lcrg ago there were sever
persons awaiting execution r. sing
Sing, and i've of that number were boys
under 81 years OF age. The average