New-York tribune., 1905-11-29
ATHLETICS FOR GIRLS.
Nese Branch for Public Schools
Planned ba Prominent Women.

In the presence Of many women OF "eaItn anu
influence the girls branch of the Public ScnooiS
Athletic League was organized yesterday after-
MON AT the house of Mrs. James Speyer' NO.
a57 afadison-ave The meeting was the cul-
rainatson of a strong feeling among representa-
tive women of the city that girls in the public
schools ought TO have the same advantages for
physical development that boys enjoy.
Two OF the three speakers made it quite clear
however. that the newly born organization will
not countenance uncontrolled athletic competi-
ton between teams of girls or teams Of boys and
girls. nor aim 20 make the girls of the city imi-
fatious OF the boy athletes. On the contrary It
viii. as Miss Grace Il. Dodge. who has been a
prime mover sn the cause. indicated, make it
one of the objects to direrentate girls athletics
from boys athletics. and to open out new ave-
naes Cor girls.
IT can't feel that Just the same athletics are
suited 70 boys and girls alike" said Miss Dodge
ssFor instance 1 hope girls are not going
into football
zone of the purposes of this organization
should be to discover how girls athletic sports
should differ from those OF boys. It would be a
good thing IL we could offer prizes for the best
new athletic games for girls to play. and for
notifications of boys games that would be suit
able for girls"
to girls Of team play.
More and more" she said those who mix
with young women feel that the latter have not
been prepared to meet all the duties and prob
lens that confront them. Women have not
known what 1t means to subordinate the indi-
vidual to the group. It is the same with girls
they have not learned TO work together Be
sides the value of athletic work physically to
girls. consider what it will mean to them in this
new attitude"
Dr.. Luther Halsey Gulick, director of physical
training in the New-York public schools en-
phssized similar line of thought.
There is now sweeping over the country a
wave Of athleticism, especially of athletics for
women, and it carries with it good deal that is
undesirable. Basketball teams of girls play in
public to the cheers and criticisms of mixed
crowds with unfortunate results to the charac-
ters of the players. 1t is not enough to say
women should not compete in public-more and
more woman is coming into the public view
but, under what conditions shall she do it? This
Is the only organization that undertake TO
define them"
In opening The meeting, General George w.
Wingate, president Of the Public Schools Ath-
letie League, predicted success to the movement
for organized athletics for girls if influential
women would take hold Of it IF the women -
he said, had not taken the interest they did in
his election. Mr.. Jerome would never have rolled
up the majority he did.
constitution and bylaws were adopted and
Catherine s. Leverich: Observation-Disclosures Ms
James Speyer, Mrs. Cleveland H Dodge Mrs
51enTy Fhlpps MISS Margaret Chanler and Mrs
= x Guggenheim; secretary, Mrs. Arthur J.
TrusseL; treasurer, Mrs. Egerton l. Winthrop.
lr.; board Of directors, Mrs. Isaac N Phelps
stokes Mrs. William Curtis Demarest Mrs.
Archibald Alexander Mrs. John B. Lord Miss
Julia Rchman. Miss Evangeline Whitney Miss
Jessie H. Bancroft Miss Josephine Beiderhase
MIS- Charles H Farnsworth, Mrs. Felix War
purg, Mrs Henry Parsons. Mrs. Charles Fair
child and Miss Margaret Stimson
Women may become members upon being
elected and upon the payment Of SO year.
Any person may become life member by paw
Ing 500 and patron by paying S1O0
Among those present were Mrs. Henry Siegel.
who, before leaving, offered the organization $50
1or prize; Mrs. Henry Selignan, Mrs. Sidney
n Borg. Mrs. Chester Griswold. Mrs. William
Guggenhem, Mrs. Samuel Cramer Mrs E. G.
JaneWay, Mrs. A. A Grant and Mrs Robert