The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-14
FITTING UP A GYM.
Policemen Going to Have n Place
to Exercise.

to Exercise.
The police department of every well
regulated city is equipped with a first
class gymnasium, and not to be out
claSsed. st. Paul will soon have quar-
tiers fitted up at the central station.
where the officers of the central detail
who cannot get sufficient exercise
tramping through alleys and wrestling
with fractions prisoners can take regu-
lar and systematic exercise. The new
sym will not be a model to start
with, but nucleus has been formed
about which 1t is hoped to gather a
complete outfit of apparatus, and it
may not be such a great while when
squads of policemen will be regularly
drilled in club swinging and dumb
bell exercises. while other details are
marching and countermarching in an
effort to perfect themselves for a cred
liable appearance upon public occa-
sionS.
The gymnasium will be located in the
old tramp" room on the third floor of
the station where a number of pieces
OF apparatus will be put in place this
week. The room is fifty feet long by
thirty feet in width, with a high CELL
ing, and plenty of ventilation facili-
ties One Of the features Of the train
ing" quarters will be a running track,
which, though not large, will afford
od1lpIC OppOI luIuty LOT some Oh the cum
bersome blue coats to work off their
superf1uous avoirdupois. In the center
of the room will be two punching bags
and with these objects upon which to
exert their prOWeSS the members of the
central detail expect to become suffi-
GENTLY expert in the art of self-de-
Tense to bring in" the most vicious
prisoners without a scratch Several
pairs of chest weights are ready to be
put in place, and later a wrist and
rowing machine will be added to the
apparatus Indian clubs and dumb
bells will for the present be the chief
means Of exercise for the beginners,
but already the members Of the detec-
tive force and some of the patrolmen
are indulging in lively bouts with the
gloves. The mitS now in use are on
the pillow" order, but the enthusiasm
with which the members of the force
don them with each other in friendly
contests lends sufficient interest to the
exercise and the size of the gloves pre-
vents black eyes and sore ribs.
Chief of Detectives Schweitzer Is
boy" With the gloves at the station,
and the way he lands on the other Fly
bobs" at will and foils their lunges at
certain portions of his anatomy makes
Louis Liverpool turn green with envy.
Louis was considered pretty handy
with his dukes himself at one time,
and he declares that dat little Phil
suttinly is good 'un," though
he admits the chief has
method of sparring particularly
his own. Every one about the
station is interested in the gymnasium
project and anxious to see 1t carried
out The expense will be met by con-
tribution from those favoring the plan,
and will be light to start with as there
is contingent" fund laid away which
will go toward supplying the costly ap-
paratus Hot and cold water baths are
contemplated by the athletically in
clined members of the police depart
ment. and when the little gymnasium is
completed it will undoubtedly serve a
very practical purpose as well as afford
the men an opportunity for healthful
recreation.