The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-26
PRESIDENT LAUDS ATHLETICS
Nm APPROVES or ENCOURAGING
BOY,s no SHOOT A RIFLE.

| l,ospts Honorary Vice-Presidcnoy Of
puhIio schools Athletic League, ana
n, n Letter Sent to Gen. WingAte, He
praises the Work That II Il Doing.
Ioysrye BAY, Aug 25.-The following
Nor wa sent by President Roosevelt TO
an George w. Wingate In response to q
l,,er tend, ring him the Office OF honorary
vos.prc.jdent OF the Public Schools
kthetic League:
III OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Aug. 10, 'o5.
ky DEAR GEN WINoATE:
r., answer to your letter beg to say
kat II will give me the greatest pleasure
III accent tho Office OF honorary vice-presi-
IN, NJ tic public Schools Athletic League,
which YOU are president. Imost heartily
[.neye in your league, and feel that in
I,omoting athletics among the school
Ikldren OF New York city along the sane
ad healthy lines it has followed 1t is per-
ut,r,inp a service which is Of the utmost
VEnortance. not merely from the standpoint
Vine nhysical, but also from the standpoint
Z ,he ethical needs Of these school children.
yLn have every reason to be proud Of the
hocess with which you have mat. You
lya organized twenty-five strong district
Lsues. comprised Of the superintendents
E,obers and members Of the local school
ksrds in the different educational district
New York, and have established regular
Hres Of athletic contests, 80 that this year
llv thirty thousand boys competed for
.ce in your games, and their chosen
ksmpions won the championship at St.
buis.
q am glad that you have installed In each
four high schools sub-target rife prac-
u and are teaching the boys to shoot with
a Krag. and am pleased with the great
coess that you have met tn this effort.
pu have done an enormous amount, my
lar General, in connection with the Ma
Snal Rifle Association and Creedmoor.
M all good citizens owe you . debt Of
kutude for what you have thus accom-
shed. But, upon my word, think that
ID are doing even greater and more far
kching good in connection with this work
the Public Schools Athletic League.
I'm particularly pleased to see that you
he a button, analogous to the marksman
Hpe of the National Guard, to every
h who can make prescribed record in
kan simple exercises, 30 that you inter-
and appeal to the boys who cannot
beet to win in competitions. l zee that
h allow no boy to compete for this button,
indeed in your games, who Is not up to
b average in studies and department,
u that you in every possible way seek
Impress upon them the fact that part Of
character OF every honorable athlete
L. &on thok IL. 1xN,A
n know that what your league has done
already had fine effect upon the char
Ter and physique Of the boys and upon
discipline Of the schools. Tbs great
hgestion in population, which Of course
6ns the crowded streets as we'll a. the
DIVIDED houses, has resulted in depriving
children Of Now York Of opportunity
,se districts, so that their physical de-
bpment tends to drop below the normal.
b energies they should work OF in whole
be exercise, In vigorous play, find vent
THE worst feats Of the gangs which repre-
bit % much that 10 vicious In our city
H. Il IL c great a!...dy.nta to . boy
b unable to play games. and every boy
box or to wrestle has by just 30 much
tied himself to be better citizen.
4 know OF the difficulty you have en-
buntered in securing grounds for exercise
I'D how you have been obliged to utilize
mories school rooms and vacant lots,
BID am delighted that the city has bsen
Iduced to make an appropriation for four
Ehetic fields. which the league has agreed
At up and run. I am also particularly
eased that you are about to organize q
oman's auxiliary branch, for tho girls
dexercise quite as much as do The boys.
The demands such q movement makes
bon the time and the money Of those en-
hged therein are very heavy. You are
ping one Of the greatest and most patriotic
lrvices that can be done, and you are en-
fed to the heartiest backing In every way
om all who appreciate the vital need Of
wing the rising generation OF Americans
Pnnd in body, mind and soul. Sincerely
vbnr. THRopoRE ROOSEVELT.
Gen GEORGE W1NoATE, President Pub
|hc School Athletic League. New York. .