Dr. Allen

Mr. Jacobs

Dr. Allen

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Well, that is an interesting point, John. J am
going to tell you something that I have never said
befére publicly. When Harry P. Smith was super-
intendent of schools here they were building Liberty
Memorial High Echool. I called on Harry Smith and
said, "You are building a high school out there

and right now I see that some houses are being
moved over on that property east of the high school
building. I think that is near criminal negligence,
because it is the only possible place that the high
school children could have for a playground space.
I honestly believe thet there is a man in this town
who loves children so much that he would be willing
to buy that area for the school children. And he
has plenty of money, too- He is past-president of
the Board of Education, and I am quite sure he was
the man who first obtained Dr. A. J. Anderson to
give physical examinations in our schools. I
Sincerely believe that if the school board members
would go to this man and present the situation in
its true light that he.wovld be happy to buy that
field." Now, understand, John, I was not trying

to talk a man out of his money, but I saw what a
wonderful opportunity it would have been for my
boys and girls, as well as other boys and girls,

to have outdoor play space adjacent to our fine
new high school. Of course, you are wondering who
this man is + well, I'll tell you. It was Mr.
George Innes. And every student, every boy and
girl loved him. He was a great old Scotchman. In
my mental vision I saw "Innes Memorial Field" link-
ed up with our own Liberty Memorial High School.

Well, what was done about your proposal, Dr. Allen?

Well, John, I was asked to present it to the school
board members, and I did. fnd you know, one of

the fellows on the Board said something that I

will never forget. He said, "Listen, we have got
more play space than anything else in Lawrence."
And I said, "But it is not located in the right
place." He séid, "There is a big play space at
Cordley School". I lost heart. That whipped me,
to find a man in an important position who lacked
the vision for the children of Lawrence. Those
houses are still there, and the youngsters are still
denied the use of that fine outdoor space. And,
John, those poor high school footballers must trek
over paved streets way out to Cordley for their
gridiron practice, when they could have played in