Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/184

 l66 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

day the custodians send a report of numbers attending and games played, with such suggestions as they will give. He has three assistants, supervising kindergartens, games, and use of physical apparatus, respectively. The custodians are variously drawn from kindergartners, teachers, college men, and graduates of Posse Gymnasium, Boston.

This step is certainly the most advanced of any yet taken toward the more complete and fuller use of our schools, and, if properly carried out in New York and other cities, will be the little shining jewel in the crown of our system of education, sending forth a dancing, joyful gleam to brighten the dullness of young lives.

The establishment of the small parks in New York, at the cost of millions of dollars, was perhaps the first step toward the solution of this great problem. The Outdoor Recreation League has brought about a tremendous advance through its influence, and is making another great stride in establishing gymnasiums in these small parks. For the open space does much ; but since it seems to be true that our young people are forgetting how to play and exercise, it is needful to have them taught and guided once again.

That this question is not a simple one, to be lightly passed over, but is far reaching and has to do with the underlying principles of good citizenship, perhaps no higher authority could be quoted to prove than the report of the Committee on Small Parks in the city of New York, of which Abram S. Hewitt was chairman. It says :

Improvements of property have left to the children no other opportunity for play than such as can be found in the streets. It is impossible for the children to use them for games of any kind without incurring the interference of the police. A sense of hostility between the children and the guardian of public order is thus engendered, leading to the education of citizens who become enemies of law and order. The outlay for police, courts, reform- atories, hospitals, almshouses, and prisons is thus largely increased."'

Play is the natural expression of the physical energies, the animal spirits. It is nature's way of toning up life. Dam up

'See Report of the Committee on Small Parks, New Vork, 1897.