Evening star., 1939-07-17
Reorganization
Won't t Delay
Recreation Pay
McCouch to Handle
Administration
Of New Setup

duQlUOT, ueClutu tOudy GIL oAolA1 III
employees involved in the current
recreation reorganization are to
be paid on the basis of their present
set-up and do not have to wait until
a new personnel organization is de-
cided upon,
This word came after Lewis R.
Barrett, newly appointed director OF
recreation, had conferred with Maj.
Donovan. Earlier Mr.. Barrett had
been informed at the District Build
ing that playground and school en-
ployes in the recreation field might
not be paid until they were reor-
ganized. Their pay had already
been delayed once by belated pas
sage of the District of Columbia Ap-
preparation Act.
The Board of Commissioners an
nounced this morning the appoint
ment of Engineer Commissioner
David McCoach, jr.. as member OF
the subcommittee of two which will
have charge of detailed administra-
ton of the new recreational Setup.
c. Melvin Sharpe, member of the
Board of Education, three days ago
was named as the other member OF
the subcommittee.
Meanwhile. Mr. Barrett indicated
that whatever recommendation on
traffic safety measure is made this
week to the District Recreation
Board will be based on this analysis
of the comprehensive traffic play
ground survey made public yester-
day.
This was indicated as Mr.. Barrett
went to work with pad and pencil
to plan a new recreation Set-up for
recommendation to the siX-man group
now in charge of the District gov
ernment's part of the recreation
system.
pad and pencil to dope out new
recreation set-up for recommended
ton to the siX-man group now in
charge of the District governments
part of the recreation system.
First order of business was to
determine whether those employees
affected by the change would be
paid at the same time as other Dis
trict Building and school employees.
1t has been intimated by District
Building officials that employees af-
fected by recreation reorganization
might have to wait for their money,
already delayed once by the D. C.
appropriation bill deadlock, until
the Recreation Board adopts a new
grouping of personnel under Mr..
Barrett, istead of receiving it today
Barrett Sees Donovan.
Mr. Barrett was to confer this
morning with District Auditor
Daniel J. Donovan to determine
whether these employees, numbering
several hundred, could not be paid
under the terms of their present
setup for the time being instead
of waiting for the new personnel
setup to be effected.
Observers believed today that in
the light of Mr.. Barrett's compre-
hensive 1888 child accident analysis,
"lLIll ID DdoCo Oll Ollllldl
records, only those Fairgrounds suit
ably equipped and of a size to pro-
vide effective additional play space
would be opened. Mr. Barrett has
indicated that opening of additional
grounds probably will be limited to
the most congested sections of the
city, especially those areas where
large numbers of children under 9
years of age reside.
Mr.. Barrett would give no hint as
to the number, but survey of such
grounds, most of which are small
courts or are adjacent to or nearby
Fairgrounds already open, indicates
few additional grounds will be
opened.
Mr.. Barrett's traffic accident sur
vey and analysis indicate that most
accidents involving children are
caused by failure TO observe the
simple rules of traffic safety and not
because the children are unable to
reach Fairgrounds.
Advocates Safety Education.
In his opinion, therefore, a pro-
gram of traffic safety education
reaching parents and children alike
is the major remedy.
Lack of playground facilities is
contributing factor, but not the
main factor, Mr.. Barrett's analysis
Of the survey indicates
He said today that the fact that
865 child traffic accidents in 1888
seemed to be less frequent with in
creased distance from Fairgrounds
Is misleading because Fairgrounds
tend to exist purposefully in areas
OF congested traffic and near schools,
where, during the winter months,
children are concentrated.
AS the first step in an educational
program IN the use of Fairgrounds
already open, which at present serve
all populated areas of the District
Wlthln radlus of quarter of
mile. Mr.. Barrett may use 8 to 10
partially disabled policemen. loaned
by Police Supt. Ernest w. Brown,
to direct children found playing in
the streets to existing Fairgrounds,
afterward lecturing their parents in
safety precautions.
Job Applicants Interviewed.
Mr.. Barrett's Office staff continued
today to interview w. P. A. appli-
cants for jobs under project which
will provide so additional playground
supervisors. He said Saturday he
might use these to increase the
supervisory staff on Fairgrounds al
ready open in order to attract more
children.
1t was indicated today that as
soon as he has worked out new
personnel setup to recommend to
the Recreation Board Mr. Barrett
will bend his efforts to improve the
physical development of the play
areas, the caliber of supervisory
personnel and the effectiveness of
a city-wide program of leisure-time
neighborhood activity for young and
old alike, both supervised and un-
supervised. To do this effectively