Show Parents Must Find Proper Playgrounds for Children rp V mi ff f n- n nTo To Keep Them Off Street WASHINGTON N D D. C. C April 30 Spring like weather returning to all parts of ot the country and stimulating the tho play spirit of mil ml- millions millions lions of off of children places an espe espe- especial especial especial cial responsibility upon parents to pay close attention to youngsters' youngsters outdoor activities says a II statement state ment Issued by b national head head- headquarters headquarterS headquarters quarters of the American Auto Auto- Automobile Automobile Automobile mobile association in in which an appeal is Is' Is made to fathers and mothers to to take a a. larger part in reducing traffic mishaps involving Involving ing log children Because they have havo no other place to play millions of young young- youngsters oung take their bats bots balls tops marbles and skipping ropes into tho streets creating a a. tremendous ous traffic hazard officials of tho the national motoring agency agency point out It is the function of ot the tho parents to discourage this practice practice practice tice whenever er and and wherever pos pos- possible possible possible sible and to make this work con con- constructive constructive parents should assist their children in finding play space that is safe A little effort along this line will prove well worth while according to Thos P. P Henry Hen f president of the A. A A A. A. A THEY TIlEY WILL TILL PL tY Children will play and If It no other place is available they will take to the tho streets regardless of ot traffic conditions Mr Henry says sa Telling a I youngster to keep out of ot the street Is not nob enough Even the obedient child forgets in Its enthusiasm for tor baseball skipping rope-skipping or some other form torm of play that the street is dangerous The wise parent will go farther tarther than merely telling the child notto not notto notto to play In the street He or she sho will attempt to find an available sato safe play space School play play- playgrounds playgrounds grounds of o course are arc available to thousands of youngsters Many however are left for forIn forIn forIn In this scheme which constantly Is being expanded It It is unfortunately tely true that many owners of vacant aunt lots which make mako ideal playgrounds forbid youngsters to use them for tor this purpose 1 Parents in such a circum circum- circumstance circumstance circumstance stance have a a. real chance to be beof beof of ot service to themselves their children and the cause of safety If It the organized adults of ot a a. neighborhood approach the irascible IrascIble ible lot owner in the proper way wa they may find it relatively easy to induce him to change his po po- Motor rotor clubs In various parts of the tho country affiliated with tho the A. A A. A A. A have assisted in this work and their records show very vcr few tew failures Conditions vary in each com- com but the parents who set themselves th intelligently to the Wit task of finding playgrounds grounds for their children usually will find tind their efforts successful tho the state state- statement statement statement ment declares Responsibility of ot the parents docs does not end even here It If Is pointed out and wherever wherever wherever ever It is possible it Is urged that parents supervise the play of their children TAKE T THEM SAFELY On this point Mr Jr Henry says After Arter a pla playground ground has been found the parent of tho the very small child at least should see to it that the tho youngster is conducted to the tho place and accompanied accompanied accompanied home by a II responsible per per- person person person son for tor the Journey journe both bolh ways was usually is made when traffic is at its height Of Ot course it is not likely that very ery many par par- parents parents parents actually can find the time timeo timeto to 10 o supervise super the school after play of their children but those that can do so should not let anything else Interfere 1 Ve Ye are a long way wa perhaps from the Utopian era in which children will have adequate play space that will keep them off the tho streets but there Is much that parents can do to bring that day nearer It Is to be hoped that the current season usually a dan dan- dangerous dangerous dangerous one will be marked by b real progress In that direction dl |