The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09
SHOES FOR A WALKING CLUB.
A Former Resident Of indianapolis Gives
Some Scientific Points to Pedestrians.
New York Mail an q Xpresa.

A Former Resident OF indianapolis Gives
Some Scientific Points to Pedestrians.
New York Mail an Express
Mr.. Louis Howland, secretary of the Anti
Sedentary Club, which has It's rooms IN the
Fifth-avenue Hotel, gave q Mail and Elk.
press man some information in regard to
the kind of sboes used by the members In
their walks. The bylaws of the club re-
quire that each member ehall walk three
miles a day in the open air. rain or shine,
or suffer the penalty OF fine.
Gen. Charles +. Furlong. the president,
rarely ever walks under twenty-five miles
day, and wears out Sl4 pair of shoes
every six weeks. There are l15 members.
and nearly ell are on the active list. Mr..
Rowland. who has made a record for long
distance pedestrianism. is considered one
of the most graceful walkers in the club,
and his movements come nearer the So
called Delsarte glide. He talked freely as
follows:
"Shoes are great items of expense for the
mem bers especially since there is desire to
increase the minimum OF daily walks to five
instead of three miles. Shoes that will last
a member four months OF constant wear are
considered marvels of durability. l have
found that it lie far better to have three
pairs of walking shoes and alternate daily
with them. What wears a shoe out is con-
slant use. and by changing often their dur
ability is increased at least 10 Der cent.
NV experience is, and believe n majority
of the members have had the same that q
f1atbottomed. single-soled shoe. with low
heels, Is much more dura BILE than O very
thick-soled shoe.
"Of course we wear band-sewed shoes.
made to order. Great care is taken that
the shoe shall hit. and not be too tight or
too loose. One member came near running
his feet by wearing shoes too loose. and now
he Is in the hands OF q surgeon chirOpodist
for repairs. shoe that laces Is considered
preferable to the button. but ease depends
upon close fit and low heels A high
heeled shoe Is an abomination to pedes-
train. and has tendency to throw the
walker forward in way that destroys the
center of gravity.
The trouble with many pedestrians in
the club is that they walk almost exclu-
eively on their heels. Naturally the heel
strikes first when q step Is made. but the
walker should not jerk it down hard. but
gracefully bring down the fat of his foot
almost as soon as the heel. The fault with
heel walkers is that they take too long
steps, and only the heel has chance to
come In hard contact with the pave
ment. The long steppers are not the
fastest nor the longest walkers. They have
too much steam on and give out quicker.
The tall man naturally should have a long
er stride than q short one, and when you
see giant making mi ncing steps you may
know he is O poor walker, and as q rule, has
members though l know several women
who could give some of our members few
miles and then outwalk them In o race of
fifteen or twenty miles.
women wear shoes that are too high-
heeled and that ia why they soon become
fatigued in shopping. A clause may be IN
serted in our constitution admitting women
TO membership. and i shall gladly vote for
it, The club has chiropodist. who Is paid
so much month. AZ first ho had more
work than he could do, but now few mem
bers need him. Although have to spend
considerable money for shoes, think in the
end save hundreds of dollars in doctors
bills and besides feel that ten years will
DO added to my life"