Evening star., 1941-05-20
Recreation
Setup Here Is
Held inefficient.
Wholly Neglected.
Attorney Says at
Hearing on Bills
By JAMES E. CHINN.


reational system now functions at
only about one-third of its former
efficiency as result of the co-orGi-
nation program adopted two years
ago, it was charged today before
the Parks and Recreation Subcon-
mittee of the House District Com
mittee.
The statement was made by Philip
H. Marcum, an attorney, at the in
itial hearing on two bills, both of
which are designed to reorganize
ard further coordinate the play
and recreational activities.
At the outset of his testimony Mr..
Marc,m explained he appeared as
a representative of "a more or less
diversified group-people who are
vitally interested in recreational
AND community center activities eX-
tending over the four sections of
the city"
Structure Torn Down.
II have no ak to grind" the wit
ness continued. Il am asking for
no position and have no hope of
reward. I have no debt to pay, no
grudge to satisfy. I have been in
terested in the recreational subject
for number of years"
Mr.. Marcum explained that before
1889 there were two groups in charge
of recreation activities-the Munich
pal Playground Department and
the Community Center Department
of the public schools-whose main
purposes, to furnish recreation, were
singular.
In 1899, however, he pointed out,
the two groups, as a result OF con-
siderable agitation which started
three years previously, were placed
under the Joint control of the Com
missioners and the Board of Educa-
ton. Under this co-ordinated plan.
he declared. the structure which had
previously been built up by hard
knocks" was torn down to the extent
that it now functions only about
one-third of its former efficiency.
Activities Abandoned.
Mr.. Marcum said that under the
co-ordinated Setup, conditions on
the Fairgrounds had become unsat-
isfactory and that certain special
activities in the community centers
had been dropped. For instance, he
pointed out, dancing was abandoned
in the community centers this year,
although last year there were 78
dancing classes in the elementary
and Junior high schools on 25-
cent fee basis. In addition, he said,
such activities as boys clubs and
hobby shops had been removed from
the program.
He further declared. that on some
Fairgrounds candles are being used
instead of electric lights, and on
others caretakers had been removed
with the result that the playground
instructors on the cool days of early
spring, have to make fires in the
buildings on the grounds and carry
their own fuel.
The salvation of Washington's
play and recreational system has
been wholly neglected." he added.
Found "Friendly Rivalry"
Mr.. Marcum testified that prior to
adoption of the coordination pro-
gram he had heard reports of
great deal of dissention and jeal-
ousy" between the playground and
community center departments He
said he made an investigation of
these rumors and failed to find any
trace" of such a situation. On the
contrary, he declared. the two groups
were working in a spirit of friendly
rivalry"
Each had a particular groove in
which to operate he said, "and did
so in spirit of cooperation.
One of the bills under considera-
ton by the subcommittee provides
for creation of a board of three
members to direct and control recre-
etional and play activities. The
other would set up a board of nine
members.
ut makes no difference to me-"
said Mr.. Marcum. whether we have
a board of 3. 9 or 33 members. The
only thing 1 want to see is the COM
munity centers and recreational
activities claimed from the discard
so the people of the District get the
benefits of which they have been
deprived in the last several years"
Opposes Present Bills.
Mr. Marcum said he did not favor
either of the two bills in their pres
ent form. He declared his principal
objection to the measure providing
for a control board of nine members
Is that it would set up an independ-
ent department.
Since a member of the Board of
Commissioners and member of the
Board of Education and represent
etive of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission would
serve on the proposed nine member
board, the witness questioned
whether they could legally undertake
such work without a change in
existing law.
AS Mr.. Marcum concluded his tes-
timony, Harry S. Wender, vice pres
tdent of the Federation of Citizens
Associa tions, leaped to his feet and
declared:
Some statements have been made |
that certainly should be challenged. |
represent some organizations and |
don't mind naming them
Challenges Statements.
This is the first time in my life"
he declared, I've ever heard any
one say we have had a splendid rec
reation system in Washington. There |
has been a great hue and cry about |
the inefficiency of the Community |
Center Department and the public
There has been open |
between them. Mr. |
Marcum failed to mention the third |
agency involved-the National Capt.
tai Parks Office
''If you think there wasn't any |
friction you just haven't lived in
this city.
The present system is bad, but |
better than what we used to have"
Representative Hunter, Democrat, |
If Ohio, the subcommittee chairman,
pointed out the purpose of the two |
! -