New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-08
GIRLS HEALTH CULTURE
Athletic Field Lies Idle for Lack Of
Funds to Equip 1t.

The main point brought out at the first an
nual meeting Of the girls branch of the Public
Schools Athletic League, held yesterday after
noon al the home of Mrs. James Speyer, No. PSI
Madison avenue, was the need of money. Speak
ing Of the work for boys done by the parent or
earization, the Public Schools Athletic League.
General George W. Wingate said that its treas
urer. :. r. Guggenheim, supplied them with the
sinews OF war from the start. but the girls have
never had any banker, and the athletic field in
Brooklyn given TO them by Controller Metz u
year ago is still lying idle for want of money
70 equip it.
II would have taken nearly all the money
hare raised TO equip the field" said the presi-
dent. 1iss Cathartne Leverich. and so We had
70 choose between letting it lie idle and having
no girls 10 take there after it was equipped"
A. il IS, the report OF the treasurer, Mrs. / y.
Phelps Stokes. which was read in her absence
by Mrs. Speyer. showed a balance Of only
s42S = in the treasury, not nearly enough 10
carry on the worl, until June. The receipts
were $3,69S IS. and the expenditure SS.269 76.
We ought to have an income Of at least
$4,000 year" said Miss Leverich with $500
additional 10 equip the field"
DR.. Luther Halsey Quick. secretary Of the
Public Schools Athletic League and director Of
physical training in the public schools, said that
contributions to this cause would be good in
vestments for every s. would go as far rs 500
ordinarily would.
Contrast this with philanthropy that has TO
build its own foundations" he said. Here are
the gyurasiums standing idle, and the teachers
ready TO give their services. The part Of those
who give money is very small The. greatest
contribution is made by those who are already
overworked and undergrad, the teachers
To the good work done by the organization the
reports bore eloquent testimony. Miss Mary F
McAleer, principal Of Public School 1885, told
how her pupils had learned to laugh since after
school athletics were introduced there
"One Of the rabbis IN the neighborhood," she
said told me some time ago that the children
made him very sad. They didn't know how TO
laugh. There was no laughter in their eyes nor
IN their bodies. didn't happen 10 be present
When they began their lessons in folk dancing,
and / didn't see them till they had had half a
dozen meetings. Then l came in when they
were dancing, and It came TO he Ike a fash
what the rabbi meant They had learned to
laugh. Their whole bodies were laughing"
Miss Eliza beth Burcllenal, assistant secretary
and physical director. told how the work had
benefited the teachers well the children.
The teachers say that the work is a rest 70
them,' she said. and that the happiness that il
gives 10 the children makes II a great pleasure.
Many Of them need the exercise quite as much
as the children. Their physical condition in
some cases Is most pathetic, and as many Of
Them are carrying heavy home burdens they ap-
preciate the free instruction which they receive
on condition Of giving il in turn TO the chill
Folk dancing is the fayorite exercise and
seems 10 be the best adapted 10 the needs Of the
children Il makes il possible TO have a much
larger number OF girls on the floor than in games
where only a few take part at time and the
others look on. Il brings more muscles into
Play than any other exercise, and Il is real JOY
10 those who have few other pleasures one
principal said that children who are too poor TO
20 10 school come into the athletic club. They
come in rags and have 10 be fed, and every
afternoon there s. a row Of them waiting al the
principals office TO ask II they can't Join the
n ~
fnty-fve schools. with a membership OF two
thousand. and 10 teachers have been trained
instructors"
The speakers were Miss Jessie Bancroft and
John Z Van Wormer. formerly president Of the
New York Athletic Club.
The first response 10 the appeals for money
came before the meeting adjourned Mrs. Henry
Siegel promised to contribute badges similar to
those given by the Public Schools Athletic
League TO all those ahO have reached an easily
attainahle athletic standard. Some one else
gave so