The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

mile was walked realized that whatever
Mr.. Clarke's style may have been In the
old country 1t would not pass in these
United States. Walking up to him as he
was passing remarked:
I'm sorry to say, Mr.. Clarke, that your
right knee is badly bent and you will have
to correct 1t. l was truly sorry for the
fellow, as l knew that ne would have to
come of the track sooner or Later if did
my duty. He looked at me as though he
did not understand or did not care, and if
he improved at all it certainly did not last
long. l soon found it necessary to repeat
my warming, but it was received with the
same stony stare. As he continued to
walk with his left knee and shoulder sink
ing at every stride ('walking with one leg
| and running with the other" as it is
called) notified him that he was disqual-
ifieo. The only recognition that l re-
celVed was a drawl that sounded like
MAJ He continued his course, and
when notified him a second time re-
ceiVed the same sneering. reply.
But more than that, large proportion
OF the occupants of the side stand, who had
grudge against the man who was winning
the race, took his quarrel. and though they
were fully aware that l had served long
apprenticeship at the business, saw fit to
Jeer me for my Unfair decision. The next
day two or three papers took up the cause
OF the abused EngIishman and scored me
roundly. However, hush suddenly fell
over the scene, when on the following Sat-
urday the New York Sun came out with
news that the papers who had abused me
did not care to publish. 1t seems that in a
walk that occurred one week after the
games in question the said Mr.. Clarke was
disqualified by the foremost Judge of walk
ing in America. In the same article the
Sun vindicated my decision.
In the case of Clarke, he was troubled
with one of the commonest forms of i'm
perfect walking. The trouble arises from
number of causes. Some that may be
mentioned are weakness of the knees.
weakness of the muscles, lack of care, lack
OF proper instruction and shortness of the
sinews.
A man may have had an accident when
boy, from which he has never truly re-
covered; and the limp which has never
intruded itself under ordinary circum-
stances appears like an unwelcome guest
at the feast Som etimes the muscles are
not strong enough, or the vital force is in
sufficient to keep the knees stiff. The
principal reason, however, is lack of
proper attention on the part of the athlete
or his instructors. Possibly he has no in
structor; In that case he is simply unfor-
tunate; particularly unfortunate because
the judge has no right for any reason to
observe clemency.
The analvc;S of 4la y,of+or a.; ~ Il.
that when the pedestrian starts out fresh |
and strong he has no difficulty in pulling
his knees stiff; but after he has covered a
quarter of mie all unconscious to him
his knees, or rather the extensor muscles,
begin to get tired. Then the Judge
notices that his knees begin to sag, be-
cause the tight cord under the knee is pull
ing, and no matter how slight it may be
the official cannot tolerate it, however
great regard he may have for the integ-
rity of the contestant. He will get "cau-
tion," at which he will straighten his knee
for a while by an effort. This will not
last long, and he will get another caution.
II he is wise, he will leave the track and
avoid disqualification, for, If he has the
difficulty OF which I have been speaking, |
that fate awaits aim if the Judge is COM
petent and strict
There are a few minor points pertaining |
to unfair walking. Stand in the center of |
the field and watch to see whether mans |
head is level as he passes along. A per- |
fectly fair walker could walk along with |
platform built half an inch above his head |
and not wear his hair off, because his |
head will travel on an even keel, as the |
I'm ha ha -l
afflicted with the bad knees referred to the |
crown of his head will travel in an undu-
lating course, following line like the |
swell of the ocean. If one knee is "off''
that shoulder will sink down at every |
stride, and give the appearance of limp
ing. Ii the arms are jerked and not |
swung smoothly, it is proba bly, caused by
jumping along from toe to heel, and the
elbows are used to assist the improper
mode of progression.
l have just mentioned the arms, ana as
these are very important features of walk
ing we will talk more about them. The
upper limbs can do great deal toward as
sisting or interfering with style and speed.
An improper way OF holding the arms is
to swing them diagonaly across the chest;
this positively interferes with progress
sion.
Then the method referred to moment
ago of Jerking is very bad. The proper
way is to swing them back and forth as
follows: Mark spot on the track eight
feet in front of you. Stand still and swing
your arms in such manner that the
wrists will cross in line with your eyes
and the spot indicated. Having fixed this
in your mind begin to walk and observe
the same rule. The hands should be used
to assist the stride by helping the body on
ward, but too much care cannot be observed
not to lift the feet off the ground. This is
a danger point if the walker Is not ex-
tremely careful.
1t is the little things that count in walk
ing-more SO, perhaps, than In most ath-
letic exercises. Therefore l will give
few hints on these small questions.
Keep the head erect-not strained too
far back or allowed to sink on the
breast.
This should be carefully observed for two
reasons, because it is likely to tire one
until the aching in the neck draws the at
tention from the vital point at issue, the