East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-07-01

Pendeton, July 1.-(Editor East
Orcgonian. jim your issue of June
2s, 1 note an editorial based on and
quoting portions Of an article by DR..
John v. Shoemaker in the June num-
ber of the Medical Bulletin, on the
physical and moral evil of the skat-
ing rink.
It is an old saying that there are
two sides to every question and to
my mind this is no exception. In
dealing with the question 1 Will first
speak of that portion of DIR. Shoe
makers paper wherein he objects to
the rink on the grounds that the
violent exercise and the sudden
draughts and changes of air in rinks
not only lay foundations for consump-
ton and other fatal lung diseases,
but that the excitement and exalta-
ton also develop weak hearts, un-
dermine nervous systems and do ire
parable harm to health and life"
While It is unquestionably possible
for one to go to extremes in skating
the same as one can in any other
kind of otherwise helpful exercise,
and thereby lay the foundation for
the troubles of which the doctor
complains, yet feel safe in refuting
it's application to the great masses of
skaters who are guided and governed
by common sense and discretion.
Not only Is skating non-injurious
under such conditions. but on the
contrary, it is wholesome, invigorating
and healthful. During my experience
in the rink business covering a pc
Rod of 20 years off and on) have
had excellent opportunity for study
inH its effects.
] have seen weak, nervous women
and children greatly benefited by the
exercise and business men and clerks
find much-needed relaxation after
hours of tedious work.
It is no rare sight to behold intel
ligent doctors enjoying the combina-
ton OF relaxation and exercise that
is to be found III skating.
In fact / think any unbiased per-
son will class skating among the best
and most beneficial forms of indoor
exervice.
say "urbiased," for It is the doc
| tors moral aspect of the rink that /
| think alarms him most Morally he
objects to it on the grounds that
Everybody goes to the skating rink.
There is no distinction. Good, bad
and Indifferent people must mingle
together and the tendency is bad
Young boys ard girls learn to look
| lightly upon evil associates and be-
come calloused to the touch of the
vicious and immoral element"
In this contention the doctor stands
largely upon a false premise, for
while rink is "public" resort. yet
| II properly conducted 1t does not ap-
peal TO the vicious element. More
| over one doesn't need tc mingle with
| other patrons of rink any more
| Immediately than they do with MEM
bers of street throng, patrons OF n
far or theater. In fact It has been
| my observation that the various
skaters have their own corterie of
friends and are thus immune from
| any contamination.
Lastly, as to young boys and girls,
as a father of three, / wish TO say
that ] had much rather my children
would spend a couple of the evening
| hours at "A well conducted rink, de-
veloping their muscles and skating
gracefully to the music Of good or
chcstrl, ever eager to attain greater
perfection, unmindful of this worlds
vice than TO have them in many an
other social atmosphere that fails to
attrect the attention of many we'll in
tending but thoughtless "would-be
reformers."
E e, IRELAND,