Evening star., 1936-09-13
Fairgrounds in Capital
CONTINUED From First Page.)

(COnClnue0 from t1TSG fdBe.J
before Washington had any public
Fairgrounds, show shocking condi-
ton as to play facilities in certain
parts of the city at that time.
AS might be expected, it was the
Associated Charities, now know as
the Family Service Association. which
were most active in crystallizing senti-
ment in favor of Fairgrounds. With
the cooperation of Senators McMil-
Ian and Gallinger, Gen. John w. Fos-
ter and other influential citizens, the
charities conducted a publicity cam
paign in 1902 showing the need Of
Fairgrounds in the congeSted portions
OF the city. They used stereopticon
views, photographs and stories.
All through the early years of strug-
gle for playground support the con-
certed effort of many civic leaders was
necessary. 1t is only in recent years
that these persons have been able to
sit back and look contentedly at the
fruits of their labors
Some readers may remember the
part that President Theodore Roose-
welt and President Taft played in
helping to establish supervised play
grounds in Washington. They may
even recall when money was raised
through base ball game between the
Democrats and Republicans of the
House of Representatives. Such names
as Cuno Rudolph, Horace Macfarland,
Henry S. Curtis, James West, Arthur
Moses and James Oyster are insep-
arably connected with the beginnings
of the playground movement in Wash
tngton.
HENRY P. BLAIR, D. j. Callahan,
Eugene E. Stevens. ]. Philip Her
mann, Max West, John Joy Edison,
Charles ]. Bell civic leaders in the
District; Alexander Graham Bell,
Representative Nicholas Longworth,
Ulysses Grant, Sd; Wallace Hatch,
organizer of Camp Good Will; John
B. Sleman, jr., once treasurer of the
Washington Playground Association;
Judge William De Lacey, former judge
of the Juvenile Court Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles F. Weller, heads of Neighbor-
hood House in 1902; Frank H. Hitch
cock, president of the Playground As
ISOLATION in 1909, and many others
did yeomen's work.
Many women, among them DR.. Re
becca Stoneroad. recently retired as
head of physical education in the
public schools after so years of serv-
ice; Mrs. Cuno Rudolph, Mrs. Henry
Rainey, widow of the late Speaker of
the House of Representatives; Mrs.
Mary Terrell, noted civic leader among
the colored people; Ellen Vinton. Alice
Pike Barney, Amy Leavitt, first VOL
unteer playground worker at Neigh
borhood House Playground, and Alys
Bentley, former supervisor of music
in the District public schools, were
active in the early days.
Five of the Playground Depart
ment's stanchest supporters have
passed away in recent monthS-Dr.
S. E. Kramer, Mrs. Ellen Spencer
Mussey. Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter and Charles c.
Glover.
The first public playground in
Washington was in the back yard OF
Neighborhood House and the second
in the old pipe yard" at Seventh
and N streets southwest. A boys
base ball club at Neighborhood House
asked for permission to play ball
there in a large lot which had been
rented by the District for the storage
of stone and drainage pipes. The
Commissioners not only assented with
out hesitation, but they also volun-
teered personal contributions to the
cause. Senator Mcmillan gave 5000
and many others contributed SIS each
to provide swings, seesaws. travelling
rings, etc.
In 1908 Public Playground Com
mittee was formed with Mr.. Cuno
Rudolph as chairman and by the end
of the year six Fairgrounds were in
operation. In addition to the pipe
yard" playground, the back yard of
Neighborhood House, at 456 N street
southwest, and a playground con-
nected with q colored settlement at
First and L streets southwest, three
new ones were opened by September
lat l. and North Capitol streets,
at First and N streets northwest, and
q colored playground at First and P
streets northwest.
That year President Theodore
Roosevelt wrote to the committee
commencing its work. Starting with
his characteristic expressions, his let
ter reads: "I am delighted to hear
that you have succeeded in establish
ing certain Fairgrounds in Washing
ton. It would be national miSfor-
tune If the Capital City were devel-
oped without the proper attention be-
ing given to the well-being of those
of it's citizens least able to protect
themselves"
IT IS an interesting fact that the
six Fairgrounds of 1903 were opened
in six months on a budget of only
$500, given by private citizens, with
out any Government aid.
In 1905 Congress made its first ap-
propriation-s2,0 900 for the running
expenses of the city Fairgrounds and
1,500 for apparatus. The Playground
Committee, much heartened, set about,
by means of an educational campaign,
to raise the balance needed. Churches,
schools and newspapers were of great
assistance, school children and teach
ers alone contributing $3.50. DR..
Henry S. Curtis, a trained recreational
leader from New York City Gin recent
years member of the faculty of Co.
lumbia University, was asked to su-
pervise the Fairgrounds.
The advent of DR.. Curtis gave
new impetus to the playground pro-
gram and progress from that time on
was more rapid. In fact, during the
first year Of his leadership many
events took place in Washington which
were of importance not only to the
District of Columbia, but to the coun-
try at large.
In April of 1906 delegates from all
parts of the United States met in