Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-03-17
GERMANS STUDYPLAY
KAISER's COMMISSION OBSERVE
ENGLISH LADS SPORT.
As Result Of Investigation There
Are Now Over 400 Parks in En-
pire Where Games and Fun
Are INDUCED In.

Berlin--A German royal commission
was sent TO England to observe the
sports or the boys in the English pub
lie schools and the plays of the people
in the parks and Fairgrounds. This
commission spent several weeks in
visiting schools and Fairgrounds. On
its return to Germany il published a
report. In which the English games
aud English encouragement OF games
were spoken OF In the highest terms.
and number were recommended for
introduction into Germany.
Through the assistance OF the en-
peror and the minister of education
this report was officially circulated
throughout the empire and the play
movement was launched on high tide
or official approval. Within four years
after this there is a record of more
than 400 Fairgrounds being estab-
lished. Play leaders. who were re-
Quired to have accurate knowledge Of
the growth OF the heart ana other
vital organs and to be trained edu-
Gators. were placed in charge These
leaders are on duty on the Wednesday
and Saturday half holidays and after
school every day
The English commission was in part
cause and In part a result of an
interest in play that is based on pro-
found physiological and sociological
considerations. The congresses OF hy-
giene that have been held in Germany
OF recent years have emphasized the
necessity OF abundant exercise in the
open air in order to maintain health
and to ward OF disease.
The congresses on tuberculosis have
had still greater influence. for they
have emphasized the germicidal value
of sunlight and the tonic value OF fresh
air to the lungs and the general sys-
tenn and have proclaimed that life in
the open air is the best preventive and
cure of consumption. Then il became
evident too, that the English athletic
Held filled nearly the same place in
English life that the beer gardens did
in German life and that it was much
better to play than To drink. Play not
merely prevents drinking by providing
a strong competing interest, but It
makes strong the constitution. so that
the drinking INDUCED in is less IN
furious.
All OF these conferences ard ideas
have borne fruit in the establishment
of Fairgrounds. The Germans have
become thoroughly convinced of the
value of play and have set out in an
intelligent way TO promote IL.
Perhaps the most successful of all
the methods used to excite interest I'm
the subject has been the play con-
crosses. OF which there have been five.
The first of these was held in 1889 and
the last one I'm 1902. There is TO be
another in 1905. They have been held
In different cities and have called to-
gether from all parts OF Germany men
who are interested in play.
They have included among their
speakers sociologists, physical trainers
physicians and prominent educators.
The presiding officer has often been
an official OF high rank. Aside from
the papers and discussions, which were
the main work of the congresses. there
have always been tournaments or ex-
hibitions OF games, so that the prac-
teal and theoretical aspects of the
question were presented side by side.