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play-schools, while nearly 1900 are included in the plan for 1908, with a salary list of nearly $300,000 which, with the supplies will make the appropriation about $400,000 for 1908.

The cost of salaries in 1905 was more than $160,000; in 1906, about $175,000; and in 1907, about $230,000 is being expended; while the salary budget for 1908 is $284,931, or nearly $300,000.

The superintendent in charge of vacation schools, playgrounds, and recreation centers in the city of New York is Miss Evangeline E. Whitney, and inquiries for reports, directories of places and workers should be addressed to her at

500 Park avenue. The child's world is recognized in its entirety in her work, and the play world of the child is gradually developed into the work-a-day world of the adult, with a happy blending of play and work ever varying and prolife and for good citizenship. gressing towards practical efficiency for

Through these broadening lines of educational work the school system is becoming more and more a social laboratory for the adjustment of the young citizen to his environment, to the end that the city itself may become the city beautiful and the citizen, sturdier in the rational enjoyment of life and happier in his loyalty to the government.

Sportsmanship and Games

Francis H. Tabor
The Boys' Club, New York

It is no longer necessary to prove that children have a right to play or that their play is instinctive preparation for their future animal development, or even that it can be made a definite preparation for the complicated life of to-day. Such statements were always obviously true and seem now to be generally accepted.

We are providing facilities for play everywhere. We are building gymnasia, laying out playgrounds, securing play-fields. We are organizing athletic societies, for churches, for schools, for settlements, for clubs. We are offering medals and cups and trophies, and so far from looking askance at children's play, we are driving and alluring them to their natural occupation.

One need not be particularly afraid of the danger of over-attention to athletics or the evils of too much play. The remedies are too easily procured, and they apply themselves almost automatically. But the time for fear is when athletics become business, when play ceases to be pastime, and when sport depends upon victory for its success.

The standards of business are too often applied to games. Because, in business one must win to prosper, it is argued that the joy of sport is success.

Unfortunately, by heredity, there is an element of fighting in all games, and a game that does not mean winning or losing is no game at all. The real danger of sport is not so much in its temptation to excess as in its temptation to regard success as its object.

Yet the ideal game is that in which two good fellows take up, say, tennis rackets, and for a summer hour laugh and jest as they win or lose, each taking pride in his own skill and pleasure in that of his opponent. Both play perhaps for all they are worth; but at the end they may almost have lost count of the score, or if the game has been exciting the goddess of chance is apostrophized rather than the god of victory.

For health, for happiness, for morality, I believe, such a casual encounter represents ideal sport, and if its conditions be briefly considered they will furnish a full illustration of the dangers of athletics and sportmanship in games. The chief things that differentiate such a delightful hour from the silly excitement of professional base-ball games are: There is no preparation or thought of victory. The game is the thing. There is no question of money or other reward.

In a brief paper I have no chance to do more than touch on a few things of vital importance. I shall therefore hang my theories with regard to sportsmanship in games upon these three conditions.

If a man must train before he participates in sport it makes it a very serious matter. He must give up his ordinary habits and deny himself his luxuries, and naturally he expects a considerable return. To deny himself enjoyment to gain enjoyment is a paradox. Therefore at once the game ceases to be pure recreation and becomes on a par with, say, an examination. It is worth while to deny one's self to pass an examination, but is it worth while giving up recreation for the sake of recreation?

It is of course dangerous to take violent exercise when out of condition; but, in brief, it is one thing to train and quite another thing to be always in training. The true sportsman is always in training.

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Secondly, the game's the thing. true sportsman plays game as his recreation. It is consequently absurd for him ever to be anxious or ill-tempered. He has the instinctive love of movement, to which is added the pleasure derived from the exercise of skill, whether it be already acquired or in the process of being acquired. Winning or losing is to him rather an amusing detail than a serious consideration. He does all he can to win because that is part of the game; but the fact that someone else has a better eye or has had more practice or is more favored by fortune does not annoy him. He plays the game for his health and pleasure and therefore he does not care whether anyone is watching his prowess, nor does he need a band of "rooters" to urge him to exert himself or to worry his opponents.

To the true sportsman such a spectacle as that of a team crying because they have lost; or of a man told off to "worry the pitcher" or of a man being "induced" or bribed to amuse himself; of a player depending upon artificial stimulus from spectators, or of any serious quarrel or anxiety over a pastime is simply unintelligible.

That such anomalies exist in sport is due primarily to the professional The professional, though he may be a good fellow and a good sportsman at heart, cannot possibly be a true sportsman or he would never accept money for amusing himself. To demand payment for playing a game is about as sensible as to ask for an automobile because one likes motoring or a piano because one likes music. A professional may have his place in the general scheme of things, but he is not a sportsman-he is a mountebank, a vaudeville artist, anything you like but not a sportsman, and half the troubles of amateur sport come from the bad example set by professionals. The large salaries, the huge crowds, the newspaper notoriety dazzle unthinking youth, and it seems a great thing to play for the amusement of others and earn a living without work, and, if this consummation cannot be obtained it can perhaps be approached. Hence the desire for medals, cups, trophies, leagues, uniforms, carfares, reports to the papers and the thousand and one other inducements that the modern youth expects to lure him to that which he should properly consider worth at least some sacrifice.

It may be that in college representation and other cases of like import some exceptions must be made, some anxiety allowed, some unusual preparations permitted. It may be that the demand to see the skill of some exceptionally brilliant exponent of a particular game may justify a compensation for time lost; but, as a general statement, I believe all that I have written of the true sportsman to be absolutely true.

Lastly, to the true sportsman there can be no need of money to pay him to do that which he wants to do, or reward for that which it is pleasure to do. If he loves the game, he will always do his best, for, the exercise of all the skill he has constitutes the pleasure of the game. How, then, can he demand a uniform to be paid for by someone else? How can he ask whether he is to be allowed "expenses?" How can he care whether he is to have a cup or a medal?

On the other hand, if he does not care for the game itself, but needs money or

loves excitement, or cares for the applause of the multitude, or has a primitive desire to get the better of someone else, he naturally gets all the material benefit out of what is to him an anxiety and a labor. Winning means much. Therefore he must win. If not on his merits, either by extraneous help or underhand trick. Hence come the thousand and one shameful practices that

disgrace modern athletics, and just as long as we continue to give unnatural aids to athletics will the love of material benefits take the place of the natural joy in pure play. Until we learn to love athletics for their own sake and to make sacrifices for them rather than to require rewards, we shall never be true sportsmen or get any real benefit from our play.

How to Secure a Playground

Mrs. Samuel Ammon

Treasurer Pittsburg Playground Association

In discussing "How to Secure a Playground," we of Pittsburg feel that an apology is almost necessary to the New York, Chicago and Boston pioneers in the making of playgrounds. Why should we with our limited horizon of twelve years tell you of that which you know so well. For years we have been told that "they have done so and so in Boston," in Boston where they really care for their people, and that in New York when a playground is wanted they just buy a million dollar piece of ground, raze the buildings and presto change there is a playground.

In more recent years when we have ventured to speak of our increased appropriations, of our increasing number of playgrounds, of our recreation centers, and expressed assurance that more would follow, just so surely as we spoke would come the statement-"Yes but in Chicago they spend millions and have parks and playgrounds everywhere."

Twelve years ago there came to us from Chicago, one who is now the president of the Pittsburg Playground Association, bringing with her the inspiration always derived from the atmosphere of that big, broad, resourceful city. To our people she said: "The children need some place to play." We had not thought of that; our city was a workshop, men lived there, children born there, we sent them to hospitals when sick, to the country when convalescent, when well we never thought of them.

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The department of education of the Civic Club of Allegheny county, with Miss Kennard as chairman, maintained one playground that summer in a school yard in one of the down town wards, and from that one playground has come a school yard playground in every crowded district of the city, as well as a recreation park system, practically encircling the city, to which has been added this year the United States arsenal grounds, twenty-two acres in extent, touching two of the most densely populated portions of the city and a tract of land where we too are pulling down buildings.

From 1896, when we started with one school yard playground, the work has developed, until this year Pittsburg has nine school yard playgrounds and vacation schools, five playgrounds, and six recreation parks. The total expenditure in 1897 was $603.72; in 1906 it was $19,502.05.

To accomplish this we had to begin at the beginning, and the present association, which is incorporated, and recognized by the city as an official body or bureau, has grown out of that section of the Civic Club and later through a joint committee of women's clubs. We are much interested in our own experience as compared with plans at Washington where they have commenced at the top with a playground system. We advise people who now realize that children must have some place to play to first bring the subject before one

of the many organizations having in its constitution the word "philanthropy." Do not suggest a playground to a charity organization, children's aid societies have plenty to do for children; take your plan to those who are doing many things for their own uplifting, benefit and pleasure the richer the organization, the more socially exclusive, the better for the development of your plan. You will find in all such bodies a number of women ready and willing to commence or organize any work evidently and necessarily for the betterment of humanity.

A small committee backed by the name of a good club or other organization and with the promise of financial aid can go forth feeling well armed, if not so well equipped. At least one member of such a committee should be thoroughly familiar with the public school system of the town or city; for playgrounds must be a part of your school system, so closely is the work of winter and summer interwoven-the one supplementing or augmenting the other. The first playground should be simply a kindergarten, let the vacation school and athletic department come later, for you must accustom school boards and city officials to the new order of things, as you must accustom yourselves to an eight o'clock departure from home, luncheon when and where you can get it, and no summer trips on land or sea -acquire the playground habit, and all else is as nothing.

The estimated cost of one playground including the salary of two kindergartners, janitor, equipment and supplies for five weeks, is one hundred and fifty dollars. The committee or organization or individual members of either ought to furnish that amount for the first playground season. Then, not at the close of your first playground season, but early the following spring, prepare a statement in the form of a letter not a report of what you planned for your one playground and what you succeeded in doing. Describe it as you would in a letter to a friend. Briefly, give the estimated and actual expenditure, number of children present each day, and the effect upon them.

One method of informing yourselves in order that you may be able to give very necessary information to others, is that your executive or park committee shall visit every densely built or slum district in your city or town. Make a note of the vacant pieces of property, their situation, size and proximity to dwelling houses. Let each member of your committee make a note of the data thus secured and make inquiries regarding the ownership or the agency representing the properties noted in your tour. Ascertain if there is any prospect of such properties being sold or improved with buildings. If not ask if you can use the property for a playground. Lease it, borrow it, buy it, but get it.

Then find out the location of all vacant pieces of property belonging in fee to your city or town. If you have no funds, or if your city has not the authority to equip recreation grounds, obtain permission to have some kind of a playground there if only a sand garden, or with temporary buildings. You will be able to prove the value of a playground to the neighborhood, and something permanent will be the result. Do not be afraid of getting into politics. You will be in the midst of politics, but no man will say to you (a second time): "Your party helped you to give the children playgrounds, we will not do so."

Do not attempt pictures or formal reports the first year, tell your friends or organizations that there are many more children, many more districts, for there always are such in need of playgrounds, tell them that fifty cents is the average cost per child. In after years the cost will be more-but not until you have vacation schools. One strong committee or club can take care of several playgrounds, but the interest will be increased more rapidly if after your first year's experience you call together the heads of the leading organizations and form a joint or representative committee.

While you are experimenting with a school yard playground or a piece of land loaned to you, which has a house for shelter already upon it or upon which you have erected tent or shed, you

must have ascertained under what authority school boards or boards of control can give the use of school rooms or yards to individuals or associations during the summer months, and also whether they can make appropriations for the maintenance of such playgrounds. Also if you are so ambitious so early in your playground career as to plan for recreation parks, ascertain if there is a law permitting appropriations for that purpose, and for securing or acquiring land for recreation purposes. You may find as we did in Pittsburg that some one had felt and thought for the children and that such a law exists.

In Pennsylvania the act of 1895 is clear and specific, and under this law the Central Board of Education of Pittsburg, a city of the second class, which is composed of representatives of the several school districts, makes an annual appropriation for the maintenance and equipment of playgrounds in school yards.

The money thus appropriated is paid to the treasurer of the Playground Association by a warrant on the city treas

urer.

The act provides "for the opening, improvement, enlargement, use, care and protection of school and other grounds for public park and recreation purposes in the cities and boroughs of the commonwealth, by the joint and several action of school boards, city and borough authorities, corporations, societies, associations or individuals. It permits the use of school grounds for park and recreation purposes by the public.

It authorizes school boards to provide for the enlargement, improvement, care and protection of the school grounds when used for park and recreation purposes by the public. They are also empowered to make arrangements with corporations, societies, associations or individuals for the lease, use or donation of property for public park or recreation purposes.

School systems vary so greatly in different states, even within the same state, that to advise any special form or suggest a draft of a law enabling school or city authorities to make these appropriations would not be of practical value.

In Pennsylvania, for instance, local school boards in cities of the second class decide upon the amount of money they will need for the ensuing year. This millage is then reported to the Central Board of Education, and by it when approved sent to the city councils, and there it passes both branches of councils with the appropriation budgets from the several city eral city departments. However, the amount cannot be added to or reduced by councils; in that matter the Central Board of Education is supreme.

About mid-winter an estimate is made by the executive board of the Playground Association as to the amount necessary for salaries, necessary improvements and equipment for all of the recreation grounds in use during the preceding year, and for any additional grounds for the next year. This schedule is sent with the estimates from the city departments to the mayor, and if approved by him is referred to councils, then to the finance committee, and with or without change according to their action, is returned to councils, for final action. The mayor has the power to add to or to reduce the estimates presented to him so as to bring the total sum within the estimated revenues from taxation. Accounts payable from the appropriation made for recreation grounas, are paid by the city treasurer when countersigned by the treasurer of the Playground Association and approved by the city comptroller.

In New Jersey the laws relating to the acquisition and maintenance of recreation parks for cities and towns are very similar, but place them under the care of park commissioners, without reference to school authorities.

We do not think that the present law of the state of Ohio, touching the subject of recreation grounds and playgrounds and which is a part of the law defining the "powers of municipalities" is adequate. The first division under "special powers" refers to the appropriation of property and includes the power to appropriate property for parks, park entrances, boulevards, marketplaces and children's playgrounds. The state regent of Ohio, Mrs. Edward Orton, has arranged to have a bill drafted

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