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Show What is the Worth of Recreation Work? Note: This article was written by the editor after a visit to the recreational re-creational grounds observing the work done by Mr. Santistevan. We hope that neither Mr. Santistevan nor the American Legion will take offense from observations printed here. A work as effective and important as this deserves the attention of the town and parents of the boys. Probably the most popular man in Bingham Canyon is Bailey Santistevan. Santis-tevan. He has 275 enthusiastic followers five days a week members of the 15 organized and six unorganized baseball teams at the recreational tenter in Copperton. As fine an example of singlehanded organization of a large group of boys as could be found anywhere, seven or eight games are in play simultaneously from 9.30 a. m. until all the teams have played their games for the day. Every afternoon the American Legion team practices prac-tices under the coaching of Mr. Santistevan. Each week in the Bulletin Mr. Santistevan gives the high lights and side lights of the week's program. pro-gram. And it is no unusual thing to have 20 or more budding diamond stars call at the office before the paper is out to ask to read the column Pailuv urrffaa frtr tlipm This year, and years prior, this work has been fostered by the American Ameri-can Legion. A worthy work, and one they can be proud to be identified with, but a work that is also deserving the support of every parent Interested Inter-ested in removing their boys from the pavements and crowded yards to a center where they can learn at first hand the important principles of sportsmanship and fair play. What probably few citizens know Is that the boys are handicapped by lack of equipment. Several interested men have been generous spirited enough to help out with donations. Mr. Santistevan purchased catchers gloves from his personal purse. Right now some of the teams use old soft-balls soft-balls because of the lack of baseballs. In charge of this work since 1929, Mr. Santistevan has been paid as little as $50 a month. This summer it happens he is being paid $75 less than one-half he has been offered for his services elsewhere. It is needless need-less to expect that a family head can continue in charge of the work, even ' If he does It with interest and enthusiasm, when he is underpaid. Right now, when the worth of the center can be measured at first hand, consider the case: Has the recreational program outgrown it's support? sup-port? Would It be wiser if a committee were appointed by the city to consider con-sider ways of financing a program for next summer? The cost of the present pres-ent program is approximately 27c a month per boy. What do parents think about the work? Is it worth a little more effort to raise sufficient money for equipment and a capable, interested supervisor for next years program? |