Evening star., 1942-08-12
designations Threaten
Recreation Operation,
Board Is Told
Wender Says Problem
Cited by Christensen
To Be Taken Up

The serious" problem presented
by a stream of designations from Its
staff will be taken up by the Board
OF Recreation OF the District when
1t meets In closed session at pm.
tomorrow for consideration Of its
1914 budget.
The board accepted three resigna-
tions yesterday afternoon. 1t heard
reports that all three Of the en-
ployes had salaries Of 1890 and
were typical Of many other resigna-
tions which had been cutting down
the staf1, because workers had left
% accept jobs. with higher PAY.
The situation is serious" Milo
?. christensen, superintendent Of
recreation, told the board. because
Of our extremely low salary schedule.
Our organization has not partici-
pated In increases due to reclassifi-
cation which have been possible in
some other branches Of Government.
We need higher salaries for an
adequate, qualified personnel"
Wender Promises Consideration
Chairman Harry Wender an
nounced the board would take the
problem under consideration when
it meets tomorrow for study of the
new budget.
The designations accepted yester-
day were those of M. F. Reese, Mrs.
Mary Elizabeth Flowers and Mrs.
Grace M. Gardner.
Mr.. Wender indicated he would
look further into the situation at
the Polo Field, which the board
had hoped to reclaim from its use
as q parking lot and have converted
again for recreation. The Navy
had refused to give up its part
OF the field for recreation, but he
had hoped. Mr.. Wender said. that
the War Department would release
part of its site on the field. Now,
however, he said the War Depart
ment apparently had allowed park
ing Of buses on its lot. This appar-
ent defeat Of the Recreation Board
hopes should not "be taken lying
down." he said.
He indicated after the meeting
he would wait to see how many
buses would be parked on the lot,
and whether any space was left
over which might still be requested
for recreation.
Community Sing Scheduled.
Miss Sibyl Baker, director of Com
munity Centers, announced a con-
cert and community sing at the
Sylvan Theater at 7:45 pm. tomor-
row, when there will be music by
the Marine Band and community
singing led by Harwood Hall, minis
ter Of music Of the First Baptist
Church. Miss Baker reported that
the public preferred sitting on the
grassy slope Of the theater to paying
for chairs.
A big program, postponed from
S"peAA A%J AAA6AAt, oAAC on4N, WOulu UdhC
place next Saturday night at the
Sylvan Theater, beginning at $50,
when service men from many near
by posts will present the entertain
ment, assisted by the Marion Ven-
able Dancers.
The board reafnrmed its policy
against the installation of any COM
mercial rides In the Fairgrounds.
In doing so it rejected a proposal
put forward by T. E. Kerstetter who
requested permission for installa-
ton of various types Of "kiddie
rides"
A recommendation that the d. G.
Recreation Department continue to
assist on the same basis as in pre-
ceding years In sponsoring com.
munity music classes under SUPER
vision Of DR.. E. C. Barnes, head of
music for divisions to 8 of the
public schools, was amended to
recommend extension of the same
system to the other divisions of
the schools.