Evening star., 1934-11-28
Allen Plans Study.

IlCultleS growing OUT Ol lllS QlVlQeQ
responsibility.
Allen Plans Study.
Commissioner Allen, who has super
vision over the District Playground
Department, said:
Il have not had an opportunity as
yet to study the plans proposed at
yesterdays meeting Regardless of
the details of these suggestions, am
convinced that Fairgrounds and other
recreational centerS are a municipal
function and, for this reason, their
control ultimately should be lodged
with the Commissioners as the heads
of the District Government. With
this control, full responsibility as well
as management should be vested in
the District Government"
Allen, who was confined to his home
yesterday by cold, said he plans to
make careful study of the detailed
suggested changes.
Commissioner HaZen. president OF
the Board of District Commissioners,
said he could see reason for a unfit
cation or coordination of recreational
facilities here, jurisdiction over which
now is divided among the District
and Federal agencies.
A City Matter He Says.
However this is accomplished" he
said, Il am convinced that manage
ment of these facilities is a municipal
matter and that in the last analysis
the responsibility and control should
be left with District Commissioners.
I'VE are told that if Federal agency
were given the management more
adequate funds could be obtained for
provision of staff and equipment. We
are told that present facilities are in
adequate. We should bear in mind
however, that the money for these
facilities comes from our taxpayers
and that appropriations are part of
the District budget. If too much of
our revenue goes for Federal play
ground and recreation facilities, 1t
means that other municipal functions
might suffer. Appropriation matters
for the District are handled by Con-
gress. which must consider all District
needs as we'll as its playground re-
quirements.
Il see the wisdom of unifying or
co-ordinating our playground and rec
reation facilities, but since we have a
municipal government it appears most
logical to me to vest the responsibility
and control Of these facilities in this
District government"
Cammerer Offers Plan.
Arno B. Cammerer. director of the
National Park Service. presented a
fifth plan, under which the Play
ground Department of the District
government. the Community Center
Department and the National Capital
Parks Office would sign an agreement
employing superintendent to oversee
recreational activities and promote a
well-rounded program. Mr.. Weir de-
clared that he does not feel this would
solve the problem, as it would be such
loose organization He conceded 1t
could be done if the three agencies
would pool their resources.
DR.. Ballou supported Mr.. Cammerer,
who pointed out that similar ar
rangement is in effect between the
National Park Service and the Bureau
Of Public Roads for highway con-
struction. The school superintendent
asserted that the three groups could
get together, pool their interests and
map out unified program without
any new legislation, such as would be
necessary under the Weir set-up.
An attempt to get Mr.. Weir to say
definitely which of his four plans is
best for Washington failed. He said
that. as a general rule, the National
Recreation Association prefers the
recreation commission type.
Four Plans Outlined.
Mr.. Weir's four plans proposed:
Plan IA recreation commission ap-
pointed by the District Commission
ers. Plan "A recreation commission
appointed directly by the President.
Plan "a recreation department un-
der the District Commissioners.
Plan "A recreation department un-
der National Capital Parks and the
Board of Education.
Explaining his fourth plan. which
was subjected to most discussion, Mr..
Weir said that Washington might fol-
low the lead of other cities. such as
Springfield, Mass, and in California
and have some of the employees of the
recreation department on part-time
basis, at the same time being employed
by the Board of Education in a full
time capacity. This discussion arose
when Mr.. Quinn asked if it would not
be dangerous to turn the use of school
properties over to another organiza-
tion, which has no responsibility. such
as has the Board of Education" Mr..
Weir's answer was that it is being done
successfully elsewhere.
Standard Ranks High.
The standard of maintenance of the
Washington park system, Mr.. Weir
emphasized. ranks high. He pointed
out that 268 employees of the National