Evening Star Newspaper, March 21, 1926, Page 87

ILLUSTRATED FEATURES Part 5—8 Pages MAGAZINE SECTION Uy he Sundiny St WASHINGTON, D. C, SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 21, 1926. FICTION AND HUMOR Washington Playland Offers Signs of the Coming of Spring BY LEE POE HART. "ASHINGTON'S ~ Playland, where 100,000 boys and girls daily a-playing go, presented a sure sign of Spring last week when the District Commissioners threw open the gates at three dozen playgrounds throughout the city. It was the first ime of 19 adult onlookers this inaugural playtime meant the coming of spring- ay kingdom, ions of gratitude rang Demonstrations took the form of shrill whistling, loud cheering, mirth- #ul shouting, running. romping. These indeed. quickly veround direct. under the direction of Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, who next month rounds out her tenth year as supervisor of the local playground system. Base hall, with the typical grouad “Babe’ Ruths at bat, was played in almost mid-season form. “Inside” play was instilled into the fay by the intuition exercised on the irt of feminine player: irls excelled at schlag hall, a game first introduced on Washington play- crounds and now pl Dodge ball afforded zood sport the younger children there was a zame led “poisonous snake. There really was no evidence of a siake —an Indian club represented the tile feature. The object of the . it seemed, was to force a player knock down’ the club which was 4 in the center of a ring formed the dozen or so players, who with claxped hands pranced around the miythical “poisonous snake” in zi = manner. The procedure is similar a4 tug-of-war of college campus fame. A few minutes’ tussle usually resulted in one of the players being bitten by the reptile—in reality merely the contact of the Indian club with the feet of one of the player: Still younger children pl the mill going™ on the slides ing fascinated many children, and as they ung through the air there was heard a chorus—"Swing high, swing low, up in the air we go—over the garden wall . . .” Some got their thrills on seesaws. Others found recreation through per- forming on the horizontal bar, giant strides, gymnasium frames. Fverywhere boys and girls were engaged in wholesome play activity. It was a picturesque sight. i ML’(‘II enjoyment in the lives of Washington boys and girls is de- rvived from the efficient play system which exists here. The health, happi- ness and well-being of the younger generation—men and women of tomor- row—obvi depend on the fore- sight which the city uses in provid- Ing a well organized and adequate play system. Likened to the character in the famous Mother Goose fable only be- cause she has “so many children” to org pla; ved natlonally its participants Gates at Three Dozen Outdoor Gathering Places for Children Are Thrown Open by District Commissioners—Effective Methods Employed by Mrs. Rhodes in Providing Health and Happiness for Thousands—Additional Grounds to Be Opened Soon—Canine Veteran of War Is Privileged Character at One Place—Innovation at Children's Hospital Attracts Attention in Other Cities—Promotion of Sports in Grade Schools Is a Feature. care for at play is Mrs. Rhodes, the kindly supervisor. For she certainly “knows what to do.” The high cal- tber of her regime has placed this activity of the National Capital in the front rank among the playground systems of the country An indication of her whole-hearted Interest in the work of planning play for children of Washington is ap- parent from the graphic description given by the director. Speaking of the part playgrounds have in the “making” of tomorrow’s citizens, Mrs. Rhodes sai 'he playground is really the melt- ing pot where children of different nditions in life come together to have one interest. Here success de- pends upon the ability to work with Games and the activities are y tools to secure the funda- mental results. Ilere wholesome play is substituted for bad forms of play regular school hours is a safeguard a nst temptation. “These hour teresting instruction may develop self-respect, desire for efficiency, sense of justice and admira- tion of skill; things that will help make him useful in the home and in “‘There is no factor more potent in determining the character of the fu- ture citizen than play. The greatest lessons in life may be learned—obe- dience, cooperation, team-work, re- spect for the rights of others, all de- sirable qualities in the coming citizen. ““We have found that if playgrounds are to be interesting to the children, adequate equlpment is particularly important. The playground differs from school in that it is not a place where. the parent compels his child to g0, but where the child may go if he wishe: “More playgrounds and better equip- ment is our outstanding need, partic- ularly for the Summer months. It has been found that one-third of the fatal accidents to children are on streets and highwa * % k% ON the little journey around the playgrounds these ideals visual- ized by Mrs. Rhodes seemed to reach vgrounds, a play station Hospital and 12 school ummer weather will great- se the size of Playland. By of July 40 school and 25 playgrounds will be in oper- ation, officials said. Untiring efforts of Mrs. Rhodes and her able staff of assistants ushered in v season without the slightest Everything was in readiness for the little play-seekers. One of the playgrounds is so well organized In the play activities of and girls that it has a mascot. Rob, a big police dog, who had dis- tinquished service in the A. E. F., at- taches himself to the Garfield pla &round, where he affords child visitors there an especial feature in the play system. However, dogs are not permitted on District playgrounds, officlals ex- plained. Efforts to keep “man’s best friend” out of the playground in- closures have been successful in every case save Bob's, Bob has no regard for the rule. He loves boys and girls. And, in turn, they love him. His master lives near the Southeast play station, it was learned, and since the time he was a small puppy Bob has made daily visits there. [very morning during vacation time he goes te the haunts of his little friends and joins them in play. When they go home for lunch, Bob digs up one of hiz buried bones or runs off to his own home. Returning after lunch, he remains until the last child is gone. Bob was on hand to greet his little playmates at the official play ground opening last week. Reyond doubt Bub Jooked forward (o the event with greater anxiety than the chlldren. Feg ol has put in an appearance every day since last Fall— waiting for this happy reunion. He permits his smaller pals to ride around on his back and good-naturedly makes an attempt to carry the heavier boys. Bob prances with pride when- ever “Ride Him, Cowba is played. He apparently considers it a_distine- tion to serve as a mount for the con- testants. ‘Wherever his playmates roam—in the sand box, on the slide, seesaw, etc.—Bob is with them. And when- ever his little friends become tired of running about, they stop to rest while Boh ays his favorite game, wl h them much amusement as trieve” than gnaw on a dozen chicken bone: A stone is usually concealed in his mouth and as one of his playmates holds out a hand he loosens his grip on the missile. His little friend takes it to hurl 50 feet ahead. Like a flash Bob darts in the direction of the stone’s course. Almost simultaneous- ly bhe arrives at the spot where it alights. Taking the stone into his mouth. Bob races back to the thrower and, placing it in the hand | of his p? s If for the next inning of The game proceeds, inning after inning, until one after another of his pitching staff reaches the point of ex- haustion. If the length of the game depended solcly upon Bob's stamina ne of his Re “Retrieve” is the big kingdom. Bob would rather play » Every day is circws day~ to 2 sl e o »“( o . L e e ek R e it seems reasonable to say the innings of “Retrieve” would pile up to an in- definite number. A distinquished playground is_the Garfield Park playground. Miss Eve- lyn Howard, director of the South- east play station, prepared her tennis proteges for victory in the girls' in- ter-playground tennis tournament, held last Summer. The Garfield entry was Frances Iglehart and Alice Brown, who give promisé of rivaling the phenomenal record of Helen Wills, according to their enthusiastic coach. From the Garfield playgrounds, the itinerary of our journey brought us to the especially interesting play sta- at the Children’s Hospital. This playroom is the result of Mrs. Rhodes’ foresight and consuming interest in this dog . aAbany a big league base ball player ge,ts Pfig st;gf tco%, Wa,shingf.omppialu grounas J game espedially tuvetited bringing happiness to Washington children. The innovation has at- tracted attention in other cities. Of- ficials at the hospital look upon it as a curative measure. The children play quiet games and are told stories by the playground teacher assigned there. Miss Mary Weller, who looks after the youngsters, gives them daily in- struction in occupational play. The little patients are taught to make paper houses, animals and villages. Speaking of the benefits the chil- dren have derived from the play sys- tem at the hospital, Dr. Frank Leech, chairman of the medical staff, said: “The convalescents are made. much happier by being kept vccupied; run- about children are kept out of the wards for certain perlods, which is a great help to those confined in bed; chronic tuberculars receive fresh air; and there is instruction in basket weaving and well-directed play. All of these are factors in improving health and preventing possible future delinquency.” We'were soon satistied that play- ground activities dealt with every p of child life, as well as merely | broviding play. Just how much the life span is increased, or how much greater efficiency children of Playland achieve, or how much happier will be their lives because of the advantages offered under the playground depart- ment is inestimable. In addition to the inspirational work done Playland, playground » department promotes sports in the 8 yground graded schools. As many as schools have competed in pla athletic games and track meets. Richard Tennyson, director of boys' activities, who accompanied us on the | cited the spectacle Summer when more than 1,000 ¥s raced and jumped for city honors in athletic competition At the Plaza playsround. The genial boys’ director of the playgrounds has been in the mistice and he pre. s a banner year for his 1926 ac- inspection tour, work since the ies. The girls’ director, Miss Maude N. Parker, is one of Mrs. Rhodes’ main bowers and already has outlined an interesting program of events for chil- Miss Parker heaviest dren of the fair sex. pointed out that each year girls are playing & mcre important part in athletics and are taking an interest in sports for which heretofore they have cared little. A special feature of the playground system here is the outdoor kinder- garten. Classes were held at several |of the playgrounds visited. Miss Elizabeth Mahon, teacher the Bloomingdale playground, com at in ‘Weather permitting, outdoor kin dergarten classes are held daily. There is much enjoyment for the child during the kindergarten hour and work 1s accomplished that would not be if he were confined indoors. He feels the freedom of the open air, llearns to concentrate and to use his hanis for useful purposes, to be un- selfsh and to take notice of his fel lov playmates. The work is varied |eoch day and the children learn dif- ferent types, as crayoning, cut-outs, card sewing, clay modeling, paper folding, painting and the construction of paper furniture, houses, ete. “The class is usually opened with a song, finger play or a sunable stoPy. On anniversaries of natfonal {ntercSt sxercises are held and the completed handwork in some way conveys the meaning of the day. * ko ko ONE of the most popular features of playground activity, however, was not in evidence as we journeyed around the playground loop. Swim {ming, of course, without further speculation, furnishes the greatest jov of all during the Summer months For this reason the playground de partment has made speclal recom mendation to the Dist Commis sioners urging that every playground m the city be provided with a wading pool and the larger grounds with a swimming pool. More than 50,000 hovs and girls avalled themselves of the swimming privileges at the municipal bathing pools alone. nditions were over crowded, and F. J. Brunner, superin tendent, had his hands full trying to arrange schedules to accommodate the youngsters who were obliged to leave the vicinity of the playground on ac count of no facilities for swimming. At present there are only three playgrounds equipped with pools Georgetown, Rosedale and Howard However, it is hoped that appropria tions for playground activity included in the District bill will permit instal lation of pools at other plavgrounds. That the playgrounds be open 12 months of the year with supervision is another recommendation considered urgent. Request, also, has been made for the setting aside, playgrounds, of one-tenth of the ground, exclusive of streets, In the opening of new sub. divisions of the city. Another need of the play system is the erection of field houses on the playgrounds, large enough for indoor recreation in ex treme hot or cold weather. The list of playgrounds open to date and directors in charge are as follows: Municipal—Bloomingdale, Ellzabeth Mahon; Chevy Chase, Ruth Coleman Columbia Heights, Helen Abrams: Garfield Park, Evelyn Howard; George- town, Abby Greene; Happv Hollow, Ella Foulois; Hoover, ¢ nn_Helen: Towa Avenue, Frances Major; Mitchell Park, Jane Kincheloe; Montrose Park, Pauline Woodruff; New York Avenue. Marie McAuliffe; Park View, Martha Dunham; Phillips, Olyve Barbee; Plaza. Caroline Alexander; Rosedale, Daisy Robinson; Thomson, “Jack” Whiting: Twin Oaks, Katherine Fisher; Van Ness, Susie K. Hand: Virginia Ave nue, Thelma Smith. Colored—Cardozo, Sola Brandi ard, Daisy Pierce; Logan, Mary Dic erson; Rose Park, Violet McKinney: Payne, Gladys Thomas; Willow Tree, Goldie Robertson. School—Adams, Margaret Colton; Burroughs, Julia Dowling; Cooke, Alton Hunt; Corcoran. Emily Tilton: Dennison, Helen Thompson; Fair- brother. Mary Rauk: Jefferson. Estelle Orr, Almea Adkins; Birney, Maybel Hall: Johnson-Powell. George Garrity Dickman. l..wmmg on the kindergarten work, e —_ “ " A Real “Death Ray. RAY which literally deals death and promises to be of practical use in combating insect pests has been developed in the laboratories of the General Electric Co.. says Popular Mechanics. It killed highly resistant bacteria spores in an exposure of one tenth of a second and fruit flies, upon being rayed for an instant, showed almost complete collapse and died in a few hours. The rays are produced by an elec trical discharge as powerful as 250,000 volts inside a glass vacuum tube, ! one end of which is a “window" of aluminum, through which rapldly moving electrons pass and have an effective range of 18 inches. The air itself becomes luminous in front of the tube and castor oil was changed into a solid. Similar rays have been produced within tubes before, but never in such quantity in the afr, it is said. The effects of the emanations on higher forms of life were also strik ing. A small portion of a rabbit's ear was exposed to the rays for about o0 seconds. A scab developed on both sides of the ear and later fell out leaving a hole which became covered with a growth of snow-white halr. Preserving Fish. NE\\' refrigerating methods used in Canada can preserve a fish for six months or more, it is claimed, so that it will taste as if it had just been caught, says Popular Science Month ly. The secret is to freeze foods very rapidly instead of slowly, as hereto fore. In rapid freezing, several methods are used. One is to wrap fish in waxed paper, pack them tightly in narrow cans and sink them in a efr culating bath of brine kept near zero temperature. Pieces of haddock have been frozen by uipping them in liquid air. This freezes the meat instantly and makes it brittle. Liquid air is too expensive at present to be used for refrigeration on a large scale, but if some cheap way were found to make it, this probably would be the simplest way of freezing foods for storage. Underground‘ Gn_rages. | PLANS for a system of underground garages and subterranean streets as a means of relieving traffic con- gestion in Paris, France, were an- i nounced recently by M. Morain, the prefect of police. The underground thoroughfare, it is said, will be built simultaneously with a proposed new subway line. For further relief of surface traft congestion moving pavements been suggested. The first of these pavements, according to the plan, probably would be elevated and would run along the boulevards having the g