Evening star., 1936-05-31

' guarding TN e III
from accidents, abolishes loneliness
for some and does away with thought
less misuse of what may be humanity's
heaviest curse or greatest blessing;
namely, increased leisure" Yaden
states.
Benefits Shown.
Reports from Community Center
directors from all the schools now be-
Ing used for recreational activities IN
yariably show by hundreds OF lndlVld-
hal cases, the unlimited benefits to
be derived by community maintain
ing such a center. Yaden pointed out
in an address over Station WMAL last
week. He spoke in the federation
sponsored series of civic broadcasts,
which is directed by Thomas Ellis
Lodge. president.
Lodge is this weeks speaker. He
will review District legislation Whlch
has been passed by Congress or which
is now before that body. A member
of the bar, he has also for several
wears headed the Law and Legislative
Committees of the federation and Of
the American University Park Citizens
Association.
When the public first became rec
feation- minded several decades ago,
Yaden stated last week, they estab-
lished chains of recreation houses, in
Guiding work shops, gymnasiums, club
rooms, etc. Although well adapted for
recreational needs they were costly,
but this was the least of the problems
connected with them. To operate them
a yearly budget was necessary for up
keep, janitor service, heat and light.
Schools Found Usable.
Practical minds soon found a way
out by suggesting public schools for
recreation houses because: Public
schools are located in the heart Of
residential neighborhoods and within
the reach of all; they are usually un-
used during hours when people are at
leisure: their upkeep, heat, light and
costs are taken care of in a large
measure: janitor service can be ar
ranged on part-time basis thus re-
ducing costs, and finally modern
schools include practically all features
of the best recreation houses.
In its 81 years of existence, Wash
ington's Community Center Depart
ment has developed 81 centers, of
which concern themselves primarily
with the needs of youth. At the sug-
gestion of Henry I. Quinn, chairman
Committee on Community Center
Uses of Buildings and Grounds, a
community club for boys and young
men was started early in 1884. Only
$500 was available and the enterprise
would have been impossible had it not
been for the volunteer service of the
principal and faculty in the Terrell
Club and the Macfarland Club. The
success Of these two clubs led to the
opening of four additional clubs in
the Fall of 1884.
The very fact that these clubs have
proved of invaluable worth makes it
deplorable for their operation on frag-
mentary schedules and incomplete
programs. None function more than
eight months; three operate for seven
months and two for six months, he
said. Only three are open four nights
a week, two are open three nights and
another two nights.
Unlimited Hours Needed.
'To build a permanent foundation
for character and citizenship" Yaden
added, lit is quite evident that every
club should be open all year, every
night of the week, or for four nights
a week at the very least. Competing
influences of undesirable nature fire.
quently undo in spare time the good
that is done by the club on its eve
nings of activity"
While each clubs program is COM
prehensive, it is by no means all that
is desirable or all inclusive. Many
activities have been carried on made
quately for lack of material, and, in
some instances, teachers provide for
the necessary materials from their
personal funds. Considering the
teachers "pitifully small remunera-
ton" it Is unjust for this to exist,
even were it otherwise desirable pro-
cedure.
The year-round operation of one
club on schedule of four nights a
week cannot be adequately carried on
for less than $4,000 for materials,
costs, ETC., Yaden revealed. The
amounts actually spent by the various
clubs in the past year vary from $4,000
down to $500 for each club.
Situation Analysed.
Delegations of citizens from all
neighborhoods visit the central Com
munity Center seeking center for
their respective localities. Mothers
tell of their boys running in gangs"
which often get into mischief because
of no place to go or nothing worth
while to do. Others tell of undesirable
places frequented by the adolescents
of their neighborhoods. Yet, in most
cases, the Community Center Depart
ment must reply that lack of funds for
janitors and recreational leaders make
their establishment impossible.
The Buchanan Club, through its
club leader, reports that the neighbor-
hood policeman drops in to watch the
young people. He enjoyed the fun
md declared the evenings were "a lot
easier for him." because Of no COM
plants from store owners or taverns
about gangs lettering around, and
hardly ever was it necessary for him
to chase down an alley where boys
were congregating for mischief.
Not long ago, the Buchanan leader
wrote Yaden, a young man who was
Sne Of the bad boys few years back,
stopped into the club. He was placed
in charge Of group Of boys, since he
had once been a ringleader himself,
but the responsibility which was given
him instilled in him desire to war
rant the respect which the younger
lads had for him. He had an excel
tent understanding of the restlessness
Of the boys and made fine leader.
Pigeon Race Program.
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