Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-31
TEL JED SOEOL'S SYSTEM
BOhemians Consider Radical Changes in
Their Athletic Regime.
ADDING AMERICAN OUTDOOR SPORTS
Concession to the New Youth of Their
Adopted Country IL Made by
the Leaders OF the
Turner Society.

What will probably prove to be the most
important convention Of the Telocvlcna
Jsdnota sokol ever held in the history Of this
Bohemian American society was formally
commenced in Metz hall yesterday morning
Radical, far reaching changes in the athletic
system that is now the foundation stone Of
the society are being considered and will
probably be adopted The society was
originally intended to meet the needs and
the desires OF the young athlete Of pure
Bohemian birth; it is TO be remodelled to
satisfy the young American Bohemian
athlete.
The necessity Of some such change had
become more prominent since the meeting
OF the body four years ago, for the national
society holds a convention only once in
four years. 1t was felt at that time when
the convention was held in Chicago during
the Worlds fair but the delegates to that
session did not seem to care TO take upon
themselves the responsibility of making
the changes. Since then, however, the mat
ter has become more and more pertinent
and the first important step will be taken at
the present meeting.
The convention called to order this
morning at o'clock According to the
usual custom Of the body the first business
a
officers for the convention. The sokol does
not permit its regular officers to preside,
possibly in order that their acts may be
more freely investigated and commented
upon. A set Of officers who serve only dur
ing the convention are selected. The fol-
loving were elected: President Joseph
Vokal OF New York vice president. R.
Hurt OF Chicago; secretary, Dr. j. R.
Jacinsky Of Crete; assistant secretary, F.
Holub Of Chicago.
The business OF the morning session was
largely Of a routine character. Probably all
the matters which will come up for con-
sideratioD introduced, but all of these
were referred to committees for considera-
ton. AS soon as these committees report
the convention will get down to the work
set before it. The committees selected are
as follows:
Observation-Disclosures Cermak, Mastny,
Ulrch, Stibr Holek
By-laws-Riha, Englethaler, Skala, Mis-
kovsky, GerinRer.
Finance-Slsler, Pecivai, Uhlir.
Resoutions-Pecival, Vavricek. Kafka.
Official Organ-Dibelka, Hrdi, Krizan.
Arbitration-Franc, Hrbek. Smekal.
Changes in Contemplation.
As has already been said, one Of the
most important matters that is coming up is
a proposed change in the athletic system
At present the sokol employs the system
that Is and has been in vogue in Bohemia
ainly confined to work upon apparatus
he gymnasium. 1t has been partially
changed already by the addition OF the
broad jump, the high jump and pole vault
ing, but is PROPOSED to still
further enlarge it b. the addition Of other
American field sports. Thus it is proposed
to have the shot put, the hammer throw,
sprints. basket ball, base ball and other
sports that are American or English -Amerl-
can. This change is directly the result Of
the American love tor outdoor sports. This
sentiment has been imbibed by the young
Bohemian American and the change is
made to attract him to the sokol. At the
same time, the gymnasium Of the society will
also include those sports Of the Bohemian
gymnasium which are now included in the
system. for the sokoi members rightly
maintain that there is no system which bet
ter brings about the desired physical devel-
opment. 1t is simply to meet the new condi-
tion that the additions are made-to recog-
nize that the scions Of Bohemian nativity
in this country are Americans and are in
culcated with the American love OF outdoor
sport
Another important matter that is to be de-
cided upon is regarding the establishment OF
school for instructors. AT present there are
no instructors to be secured IN this country
rather, there are but a few. Only few
years ago the sokol had to secure an in
structor from the old country. II paid him
a big salary, and after an expense of thou,
sands Of dollars incurred in having hin
travel from society to society Throughout
the country and instruct the members, thu
results we're very unsatisfactory. Conse
Quently it is the intention TO establish some
where a school where instructors may bt
trained In this the sokol is but following
in the steps of the German turner's.
There are a variety of other matters o
less importance TO be considered. When th
society last met in Chicago, for instance
lot of laws and regulations were adoptet
which were of no use and of tn
dead letter character. 1t is proposed to ex
punge them from the rules of the society
The matter OF publishing the organ of tn
society semi-monthly instead of monthly /
also to be settled.
An afternoon meeting of the convention
was slated, but IL was postponed becaus
49, Of the committees we're ready to re
port. An adjournment was taken early
therefore. until evening, but when the bod
met again at o'clock the committees ha
not finished their work and another adjourn
ment was taken. The body viii be con
vened to order at o'clock this morning
II was scheduled that an adjournment sin
die should be taken today, but il is almos
certain that the business of the body can
not be cleared away in time.
The committees have decided upon a pro
posed change in the athletic system an
upon the establishment of a normal schoo
of instructors. Reports to this effect vii
be presented 10 the meeting this morning
Delegates in Attendance.
The following are the accredited dele
gates in attendance;
Able. Neb ]. B. Hasik; Baltimore,
Franc: Bruno Neb., V. Blatny; Cedar Rap
ids Ia, F. Engethaler, ]. J. Hrbek; Cleve