Evening star., 1933-09-11

A query from John W. Davis as to
what the people will do with their extra
hours of leisure under the recovery
plans is answered by the press with
some enthusiasm. The opportunity of
better individual training and the en-
joyment Of recreation facilities provided
by communities is expected to result in
better types Of citizens with the pros
pect Of more contented lives.
"One suspects" AYERS the San Anto-
MO Evening News, that the question
of leisure is worrying the sociologists
and the psychologists more than the
persons Immediately concerned" That
paper thinks they probably ARE too
busy catching up with their gardening,
housework. fishing, golfng. bridge or
reading to give the matter much
thought" but the Evening News con-
tinueS: by and large, what to do with
added leisure Is less a social problem
than what to do with the several mil
lion persons still lacking permanent
jobs. Anyhow, many workers are solv-
ing their own leisure problems in a
manner satisfactory to themselves Some
are going to night school; probably the
promised opportunity schools" will en-
roll many more. Others will spend
spare hours reading at Libraries or rid
ing hobbies. Probably few will pursue
culture, but that is no occasion for anx-
iety."
History Of the National Recreation
Association is recalled by the Youngs-
town Vindicator, with the belief that
its services increased and the advice
that communities cannot ignore the
new conditions they have to meet" The
youngstown paper continues: "The
work period FOR millions is shortened by
the recovery act, and the leisure they
Will have has been considered In many
quarters, some concern being expressed
as to what the result will be, how the
hours will be employed. The Recreation
Association has definite line of action.
and having had experience of many
years is in position to aid in the ma
tlonal constructive movements.
In planning for this new time in
which longer periods of leisure have
been suddenly provided, the association
has had in mind the greater need Of
educational and recreational services in
every community"
Commenting on the cheers given in
its own State at q meeting for support
OF the NJ r. A. program the Portland
Oregon Journal, looking ahead to IAN
America of life and business and rec
/ reation and pleasures. instead of the
America that for nearly four years has
been land Of despair" exclaims: why
shouldn't the tidings be everywhere car
RED OF nobler modes Of life and fairer
felds for folks! Why shouldn't eyery
soul In the land hear that the Govern
ment Is trying to apply squarer laws: is
struggling to substitute agreement and
understanding for strife and hate in in
dustry; Is striving to fill every house.
hold with love Of right and the pride
of truth"
While conceding that when men are
not working, 1t Is their inalienable
right to loaf If they want to- the New
YORK Times voices the belief there are
many who employ their leisure for self
Improvement" The Times continues.
Even during the depression they
nocked to school in considerable num-
oers to equip themselves for advance
ment. In prosperous times the desire
1or self-improvement is one Of the most
astonishing revelations of human char
acter. The night shoots and trade
schools are crowded. Humble though
they may be in quality, the culture dis
pensartes are normally grinding at ton
speed. II the outline histories and
the sets Of classics and the study classes
and the books on manners mean any
tnlng, they indicate strong impulse
Tor seH-improvement among people
whose experience has been limited
Doubt II leisure can be mass ham
died Is expressed by the Providence
Bulletin, with the statement that ."the
old-fashioned school teacher, who knew
that the patient must minister unto
himself was brushed aside by the prac-
tical idealists who were bent on show
Ing young America how to do things
and get somewhere" The Bulletin ad-
vises as to the value of the present
movement: "One of the finest achieve
ments Of any civilization is making an
artistic use Of leisure. America has