L. P. Jacks, Recreation Communicator

IN THE LATE 1920s, the important place of recreation and rapidly increasing leisure of the American people was widely heralded in books, magazines, and the daily press. Under the sponsorship of the National Recreation Association, Dr. L. P. Jacks, a noted English educator, visited cities in America during the years of 1931 and 1932. Jacks traveled from coast to coast. His lecture tour was for the purpose of interpreting the significance of recreation and focusing national attention and interest on the problems of leisure.

Dr. Jacks became the first "traveling voice" to be sounded across the country with a message concerning leisure and recreation. The significance of his lecture tour was that people could relate to a spokesman whom they could see and hear in person. He was considered an expert who had something important to share with civic leaders as well as everyday citizens. Also significant was the fact that the national association sponsored the tour, gave financial support, backing, and therefore, the full blessings of the organization.