The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-07
EXERCISE FOR WOMEN IS
 DISCUSSED BY AN EXPERT

i, industries; but speaking in a large sense of biographical history woman origi- mated the industries. The physique of the man of today is the survival of those men who had to hunt and fight; and the woman's physique is the survival of those who were good mothers and housekeep- ers
 Nearly all our athletic sports are de- scended from the old hunting and fighting exercises, and for that reason men are better suited for them than women. While men developed the qualities re- quired in hunting and fighting, women were developing those that were related to the home, to the arts and the indus tries. So if we demand of man those ex- ercises which in general have always been related to his life we should also demand of woman those exercises that are related to her historical development.
 "The athletic exercises and games best suited to women are moderate and grace fui, not those involving competition and strain-all forms of callsthenics and light gymnastics, archery, lawn tennis. swim ming, field hockey, lacrosse, bicycling. rowing, canoeing, golf skating, fencing, and basket ball. In all athletic exercises in which women engage good form should be required rather than records.
 Women may be excused for not being as strong and enduring as men, but they cannot be excused for not being more finished and graceful. Good carriage, per- feet boise, sef-command and exquisite grace and refinement should enter into women's athletic performances.
 "I do not mean that girls or women should spend their time attitudinizing, but that they should be thoroughly trained in ease and grace of movement. Women so drilled never have to be told what to do with their hauds and feet. Whether they enter a drawing room, pre- ,sI T AI.... they may be depended on to be perfectly natural and at ease.
 "Women are especially hard to teach games. By temper and training they are intensely individualistic and do not at first realize the responsibility of being put on their honor. It is hard for them to understand that they cannot cheat, or bluff though, or get credit for what they do not do. They cannot lay the blame on others or deny their own deeds.
 "At first when they are defeated they either sneak off in tears or get mad and refuse to play again. It Is hard for them to stand together. bravey congratulat- ing their successful rivals. Yes, it is q lack or self-control and for some reason women seem to find It hard, much harder than men, to acquire.
 College training should give it, per- haps. It doesn't; not always; of that I had'proof only yesterGay
 .I saw a college bred woman far above the average in intellect clench her fist and stand and scream at the top of her lungs. She had been defeated and she simply made up her mind she would not accept it. Why, she had to, of course After a time. when she was forced to use her brain, she calmed down and behaved herself
 ''But it is the exceptional woman who is willing to work together with others for the good of the gang. They haven't the gang instinct For success in compet- itive games that spirit of placing the good Of. the gang before self must be ac- quired is absolutely essential.
 "In a new team of girls about the most noticeable characteristic is their egotism. It is I want to play basket T want to score T want to play with the bigger girls Tt wasn't my fault. she did that Gradually. very gradually, you begin to notice the use of we instead of that predominating =.
 ''In every game there come opportuni- ties when a little trick, some petty act, will give an advantage. Bows take ad vantage of such opportunities oftener than they should but they know they are wrong and feel the disgrace.
 Girls seem to look upon it as the right thing and take advantage of it openly. Ac1 may read tn the rules of the game, give them a lecture on honor and while they will agree with you in the ah- S1fdct tneV VII contend that m tne1r special case 1t was perfectly rirht It is that lack which often makes boys treat girls with contempt and drives men to despair with women.
 Games try out these qualities in girls al.. in that respect I believe they are r1ost beneficial A game is well nigh per- feet democracy.
 'Nothing is of more value ethically for a girl than to find out that money clothes. family. prestige and pull are as nothing. that they do not help her to play ball or become desirable member of a team. She stands falls absolute ly by what she is and what she can do and realizes that the game makes them all equal.
 "But. as I said efore. for physical de- velopment I prefer moderate and grace full exercise without the spirit of com petition and strain. Woman needs vigor- ouJ exercise less than man. and she profits more than fnan by mild exercise extended over long periods.
 "WallSing means more to women than to men, But dancing, above all forms of exercise, is best suited to women."