The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-16
The Strong Getting Stronger.

In America, as in England, the people
OF the more fortunate classes seem to be
developing into stronger and better
race. physically and mentally, and, per-
haps, morally, than their ancestors. 1t is
good to know that If we are falling off
In Quantity the American people are gain
Ing in quality. The old Puritan stock Is
hardly reproducing itself In the east and
IS declining In some states at an appall-
ing rate, but what is left of the most
fortunate part Of it is apparently stronger
than the members Of the prolific genera
lions Of the early part OF the last CEN
fury.
In England, and perhaps on the con-
-tinent there Is evidence to show that the
common people are losing in stature and
weight, but here even they seem to- be
gaining, though 1t is to be expected that
the large influx Of immigrants of small
stature ought to have some effect on the
average. But perhaps even small stature
Will evolve into large stature under the
conditions of plentiful and cheap food and
a generally superior environment
The average height Of the British re-
cruit is now. only s feet inches, and
during the Boer war it was found neces-
sary to recommend the acceptance Of all
men over feet, as In no other way would
an army be raised. The average British
soldier also weighs very much less than
his predecessor Of fifty years ago. A man
can't get into the American army unless
d jc OF
the average height Of the SOLDIERS is S
feet 7.5 inches. AS to the continent Of
Europe the reports are somewhat conflict
Ing, tho it has recently been asserted in
England that compulsory military service
Is raising the standard Of physical man
hood turnout continental Europe. Sir
John Gorst recently asserted that one
fourth of the British people are not able
to get enough food properly to sustain
life. Undoubtedly there is direct con-
nection between such a hard life and the
deterlorating physical condition of the
English masses. 1t is certainly distress
Ing to know that the upper classes are
getting stronger and the lower classes
weaker. The contrast suggests that not
very much can be accomplished for the
regeneration Of the lower classes until
their economic environment is 50 much
improved that ten million people shall
not have to go hungry to bed every day
in their lives. Poverty may be q good
school for some of the virtues, but
evidently it does not make individuals
strong and healthy or nations great and
aggressive.
Turning to the American college man.
we find that he is an inch taller and three
pounds heavier than his father was The
Roman soldier was a pigmy- compared
with the football player of these days, and
the gladiator Of old times was no worthy
foeman for the modern prize fighter.
The college girl, and, indeed, all the girls
of families in comfortable circumstances
are physically larger and stronger than
their foremothers.
f.: The superior economic conditions of
America which have bred physically, at
least, superior race are to some extent
passing away with the complete occupa-
ton Of the continent In the future we
will have to look to improved laws to in
sure that the masses shall have the en-
v1ronnent without which Improvement
for any great portion Of them is irnpossi
BILE.