The Jersey City news., 1902-10-10
Outdoor Athletics No Longer
An Excuse for the Short
Skirt Costume.
PASSING or POPULAR SPORTS
Women Waiting for a New
Game Requiring Special
Dress Federation and
Other Matters.

Much comment has been made of late
upon the passing of outdoor sperts.:
Croquet, bicycling. golfng, ping pong,
have all had their day, and tennis, which
at present seems to be the survival of
the fittest, is likely to play itself out be-
fore another year. The public, ever ON
the watch for something new, has been
disappointed this year. What another
year may bring forth, who can tell?
Unless the price comes down low enough
and the speed rate goes up high enough
to make it automobiling, there is abso-
lutely nothing in sight. Why, one is apt
to ask, perplexed, should all these sports
which started out with so much eclat,
so much enthusiasm, and SO much ex-
pense, be but the passing fancy of the
hour? Yet, upon second reasoning, is
not woman, tickle woman, at the bottom
of it all?
Croquet came and went. At first it
was popular. 1t was a mild outdoor
sport-about the first that woman tao
kled. 1t required charming garden hat,
a graceful stroke and pretty gown, be-
ruffled and enchanting. Woman invaria-
bly, won the game because man stood by
enraptured and forgot all else in that
mystic maze of ruffles, furbelows and
lace. But, alas, that was in the days
before the train came into vogue. Woman
was wise enough to know that grace and
a pinned up skirt did not go together,
and she stoutly refused to play croquet.
As for man, he was fool enough never
to know why, but croquet had no more
attraction for him, SO he took to bicy-
cling. Then fair woman, not to be
outdone, began to consider. If man
must have his outdoor sports, so must
she. Her train, her ruffles, were in the
way, yet her train, her ruffles were half
her charm in mems eyes. She couldn't
let them go entirely, but she could let
them go half way. So she decided upon
a special costume for special occasions,
and the short skirt came in for bicycling.
The innovation was at first embarrassing
and she always felt as though she would
like to get behind friendly tree or a
sheltering haven when off her wheel. Her
very modesty gave charm to her costume
and she grew bolder. The sight of a
prettily turned ankle put public opinion
to scorn; the short skirt was found a con
venienee; health an excuse; and the BIZ
cycle went out of business as an apology
for wearing the short skirt costume.
Then golf came into vogue. The natty
little red jackets, the plaids and the
negligee hats were most attractive. They
were something new, they added to fair
woman's charm, and so she adopted
them, at the same time adapting herself
to golf. But, alas, every girl who wears
a sailor is not sailor, so the golf
costume became too popular and needed
the excuse of caddy and golf sticks no
more than the short skirt needed the ex-
cuse of the wheel or a rainy day before
it. Thus far nobody has invented new
sport requiring an especial feminine cos
tune. When they do, it will become
popular, for the so called athletic girl
has just enough of feminine weakness
left to choose a becoming sport. 1t is
something new in the way of costume
more than in the way of sport she is
looking for. For this reason ping pong
failed. Any old costume would do for
that, and woman was not going to exert
herself for nothing.
In tennis the charm of the girl lies in
her decree of gracefulness. If she is not
graceful in her movements, if she has not
a Drettilv turned ankle, graceful twist
of the wrist. an easy carriage and hair
that will either stay put or look better
unput. she had best leave the game alone,
as nowhere. not even on the ball room
floor. does an ungraceful movement at
tract more attention. On the other hand,
of course. if the girl is graceful, she can
find no better setting for that grace than
the tennis court.
Mrs. A. J. Newbury, of No. 81 Clifton
place. chairman of the Jersey City en-
tertainment committee for the Women's /
| Clubs Federation, called a meeting Of her
committee at her home yesterday after
noon. Plans for entertaining delegates
were discussed and a new committee,
consisting of one member from each en-
tertainin9 club. was appointed. Among
those on the committee are Mrs. Wright
Miss Myers. Mrs. Cohen, Miss Post
Mrs. Dean. Mrs. james Edwards and
Miss Crowcn.
This morning marked the final session
Of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union Of New Jersey conFention in Cape
MAY. and this evening win bring home
the Jersey City delegates allied with new
idens to be shot off at meetings all ovel
| the city for the next three or foul
months The address of the morning uas
made by Mrs. John r. Paddock Of Easi
Orange, who argued the needs for re-