The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-16

has been frequently commented upon
of late.
Incidentally n has served to put a
new handle on the old prejudice to col
lege athletes and college sports. con
corning which. I'm the minds OF many,
there has always existed a very posi-
tive objection.
IL is true, the cases noted were e1-
ceptional ones, for no mention has
been made Of the thousands of men,
not athletes, who offered themselves
and were rejected for the very same
reason-that is, because they were
deemed poor material from a physical
point Of view from which to make sol
diers.
1t would seem. OF course, that where
one had devoted time and study to the
development OF his physique, there
could be no question as, to his fitness
for the soldiers profession. and this
would be true were ii not that a man
may be muscular and still be deficient
in that quality of inherent robustness
that insures endurance and hardness
such as recruiting officers esteem az
vital Just as. on the other hand. the
unframed man may be wanting in
HuSculdI CNtiOpHlc anu yet ShoN
on examination a sound and vigorous
constitution admirably suited to sus-
tain toll and hardship.
This may serve to explain the rejec-
tion of the college athletes, and for
this explanation. i am Indebted TO a
gentleman who Is himself an enthusi-
asst on the subject OF physical culture,
and who for years has been connected
with one of the great Eastern colleges
NJ nrnfazGnr Of anAfnnnU He nraS will
ing to admit, however. that an untold
amount OF harm has been done by i'm
proper training or entertaining, though
he evidently disliked to consider this
phase of the matter.
The rejected men Were football play
ers. and IL can be laid down as a very
general law that success in such sports
is achieved at the expense of perfect
development.
When 10 excel in certain feats OF
strength is the sole object Of physical
training, special powers must in the
nature of things be cultivated, and the
result in the end will be injurious and
not beneficial to health.
The system is opposed to the ideal
that is Theoretically. at least. back of
physical culture, the end of which is
weak parts. the cultivation of powers
lying dormant. and the full. complete
and harmonious rounding out Of the
entire body-in other words. increased
health inc increased strength. to-
gether with the ability to work long
and well. These are the things to be
desired. n II 10 apparent that there
has been a decided Inconsistency be-
tween the ideal and the methods en-
ployed In its attainment.
When the sport itself becomes the
end and aim OF training IL means spe-
cializing. and with this there is an
ever present danger. The training be-
comes just as injurious to the health
as when the same curse Is pursued In
business or serious work.
Let the advocates of football. rowing
and baseball say what they will. pro-
longed practice Of any sport is as try
ing TO the system as Is the
practice in the same way OF any other
kind Of labor. Instead OF building up
the health OF those who take part in
them. they actually tear It down.
In the matter OF exercise a man takes
to Mt himself to make a creditable
showing. there II the danger of over
training.
Just how many men OF naturally fine
powers have ruined themselves for life.
Il is. Of course. impossible to say. In
most OF the colleges this is a menace
thai Is recognized. and a decided stand
has been taken to lesson II.
Young men left to themselves train
in all sorts of way They aim TO get
up the muscle as quickly as possible
indeed the whole fault OF college attn
letes and college training has been
that too much IL attempted in too shor,
a time. The rule il TO train for par
ticular events and then 60 out OF
training. and stay out for several
months perhaps. and when the foot
ball or rowing season comes around. "a
take IL up and get back to their prevl-
Gus form in a short q time as posi-