The Washington herald., 1908-01-13
MONDAY. JANUARY 18. 1so8.
a Hint to the sedentary.

In an editorial entitled How the Presi-
dent Keeps Steam Up" the Louisville
Courier-Journal sounds a note which
should appeal to every brain worker and
every man OF sedentary habits. "No mat
ter how students of politics and critics
of Presidents may disagree as TO the
craftsmanship Of Theodore Roosevelt, g"
says our contemporary. none can deny
that as a machine capable OF doing a
large amount of work. he has few
equals It points out that the President
has a genius for work, and what Is at
least equally important that he rests
his brain and nerves by working out his
muscles
In this last statement is revealed the
real explanation Of Mr. Roosevelts ability
10 do more wark and enjoy more leisure
than, perhaps any Of his predecessors
in the White House. Other Presidents
doubtless have possessed the same faculty
for accomplishment that is so character
istic of him, but like "a vast number Of
other men, they failed properly to adjust
the nice balance between mental and
physical eXertion which is essential 70
the obtaining Of maximum results The
average business or professional man of
to-day takes short vacation each year.
perhaps, but, aside from that. devotes his
time and energy to gathering in the dol
lars and pays little or no attention 10 his
physical Well being On rising in the
morning. he breakfasts hastily, walks
anywhere from a few steps TO a few
blocks to the nearest street car line. rides
downtown, and spends the whole of the
day AT his office or store, except an hour
or so devoted to lunch When the busl-
ness day ends. he rides back home again.
Month after month, sometimes year after
year. he goes without exercising his
body. Very frequently he even scorns the
beneficial relaxation furnished by attend
ing baseball games and other outdoor
contests.
It is not surprising, in view Of this
sort Of thing, that so many men break
down, too often irretrieyably. at the very
period Of their lives when they should be
in their prime. II President Roosevelt
had followed such a course ne would in
evitably have suceumbed to the effect Of
hard work long ago. AS it is. his health
is practically perfect. and he manages TO
transact an enormous amount OF 0fficaI
business. 10 say nothing Of writing nu-
merous general magazine articles. giving
out "a frequent last word with respect 10
the affairs of the animal kingdom. and
regulating many matters which a care
less world is incapable of looking after
for itself This is what exercise, recrea-
ton, and devotion TO the open air does
for Theodore Roosevelt who. as a lad.
was anything but robust We do not un-
reservedly commend all Of his strenuous
methods Of health-maintenance 10 others.
but we think the value of the general
principle involved is plain
So get out in the open occasionally. MIR.
Cltyman. Take time TO walk to your Of
fee, If you cannot find the opportunity TO
get exercise otherwise. Do something for
your body, as well as your pocketbook.
and the chances are that the latter will
be the gamer in the end, after all Doe
tors are expensive luxuries and a sick
man is not ordinarily q glittering success
as an income producer.