The morning call., 1894-06-04
MOUNT THE BAR.
Alameda Women Fitting
for the Suffrage.
A NEW SOCIETY WRINKLE.
In Pretty Knickerbockers' They
Climb and Circle.
ONE NOTED CHEST EXPANSION.
gymnastics to Music Add Strength
and Grace to Prospective
EncinaI Voters.
ONE NOTED CHEST EXPANSION

The ladies of Alameda have new topic
TO discuss over their urns. Its novelty
lends enchantment, and being of general
interest to their sex is thought to be worth
their best conversational efforts.
And the interest and discussion has all
been awakened by the efforts of one ener-
getfc Young lady. About two weeks ago
it was announced that the ladies' gymna-
stun class would give an exhibition for
the benefit of its friends and the press.
Prompted by curiosity all who were per-
mtted attended, and what they saw made
vivid impression and has been general
topic If conversation since.
ALTERED in a neat knickerbocker uniform
adapted to their exercise the young ladies
showed the results of several months OF
work IN the gymnasium, and much sur
prised those who thought the ladies only
made for kitchen dTudgery and parlor or
| namentS.
Gymnastics for ladies is new depart
| ure on the Encinal, but is destined TO be-
come popular fad. thanks TO the efforts
! of MISS Helen Thomas, young artist
! who has resided in Alameda about year,
| and in that short time has become very
| popular While studying art at the Ken
| SlD&LOn Art OCUOOlf 1Ouubllg ho q bCcACh lC-
! creation she took course in gymnastics.
"In England" Miss Thomas says, gym
| nastc and athletic exercise Is popular
among the ladies and is pursued with "a
deal of enthusiasm. so ety ladies, many
of them. take a course Of gymnasium
training just previous TO the opening OF
! 1.-THE season." that they may better en-
dure the trying ordeal of balls, theaters
and late suppers."
AS a means of recreation Tor herself
| Miss Thomas organized a gymnasium
! class of young ladies i've months ago.
! which has been in active training since.
| An hour and thTee-QuarteTs were devoted
every Saturday forenoon to class drill and
| private exercise, with club exercise recon-
mended every evening before retiring.
An old gymnasium in Germania Hall,
| with a limited amount Of paraphern ALA,
at one time used by a mems athletic club.
! was brought into requsluOn, and, with
| cleaning and repairing, was made 20 do
good service for the initial drill
| I'VE shall fit up tirSt-class gymnasium
If the enthusiasm continues. which there
is every pros ect that it WILL" said Miss
| Thomas. ''Dr. Reynolds told me there
| were more than 500 young ladies' and
women in Alameda that ought to take {
course.
The young ladies have been very faith
full in their work, even carrying out my
instructions at home" continued the
pleasant instructor.
"Uan any results Of the training be seer
yet? Most certainly. Why, Miss Molly
Bates, who was inclined toward weak
ness OF lungs and chest, has done faithtu
work with the clubs with the result OF IN
creasing her chest expansion the remark
able extent OF three inches.
This has been the most marked re-
suit of the course. The last lesson wa
yesterday, which closes the present tern
ana a vacation will be had until July l
as many will spend June 10 the country.
~ do so want To get the married ladies
interested" she continued. They neet
it so much, but | have not succeeded il
finding one who would start first.
The ladies Go not seem to be as lazy a
the men in Alameda, and | think this !
the beginning of what will shortly becom
a very popular movement among tn
ladies. In fact l am now promised
D large number for the next class"
J. do your exercises vary much froT
those used by men?" asked the inter
viewer.
, mo, not in the least; only they are les
violent. We use the Indian clubs. ropes
trapeZe, horizontal bar, parallel bars, foo
d exercises, etc.
You really do not realize how weal
women and girls are. Why. you know how
Q easy It Is for a man t. take hold of ba
I with his hands and draw himself 10, bU
n il you can believe II, not one If the ladiC
o in the class could draw herself eff ht
l., feet when we began"
+ The ladies' who donned the blouse. KIN
4 trousers and short skirt and have beer d
q ing gymnasium duty are: Tue Nj ssC
e Molly Bates, Lucy Bates, Helen Mclean
V Edna Jones, Constance Pollard, CARR
v Bates. Crystal PlummeT. Alice Hille
S Mamie Polite, Mamie Lang and Guss
n Kuhis.
e Under the regular class drill all exc
e cises with clubs and wauds are done
music, thus lending rhythm TO the NOV
e ments. Yesterday was the last drill
J. the course and most of the young ladi,
= will spend the month of June in tt
it country and will not require the drill of
,e gymnasium TO keep them in physical trim
"a Ii is a pretty sight, indeed, to Deho
o their graceful movements with club an
n wand, clad as they are in loOse-fitting blou
v and trousers, with skirt reaching to Il
It knees, and stockings, all of black, al
Of with their feet fitted In dainty but ca
le slippers.
re- The young ladies spoke very enthusiasts
De cally OF their ork. I'VE are so much
love with it," said one, land it is so novel
said another; "but. oh. how some of {
ladies do stare in surprise when they cor
~ in here and see us per orm" especial
- third. But we don't mind that no.
though We die at first. Still, we are ju
n trile bashful yet about having the &c
Ilemen come in"
All The young ladies are from the Fl
families, modest and retiring in their q
meaaor and avoid prominence and pu
hi