The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-22
ADVISES GERMANS
TO ENTER POLITICS
Prof. SpanhOOfd Talks at Sc
Nor Turner's Conference.
WANT CITIZENS IN CONGRESS
President of Columbia Turnvereiu
Declares Proportion of German
Legislators and OfncehoIders Is
Not I'm Keeping with German POpu-
observation-disclosures Promised.

Politics and athletics formed the main
topics OF discussion at the quarterly meet
ing OF the Districts Baeren Turntag. or
Senior Turner's Conference. of the Phlla-
delphia circuit. including the Baltimore
and washington associations, held at the
hall of the Columbia Turnverein yester-
day afternoon. There was large at
tendance OF members of the Nc~waerts
and Germana Verein, OF Baltimore
which arrived in this city in a special
car. and were welcomed at the depot by
F. F. Mann. secretary Of the local So
ciety. who. assisted by a committee OF
the Columbia Turner's escorted the visit
ing delegates TO the hall OF the local
gymnasts
After going through the regulation ath-
letic drills and movements as laid down
by Turnvater jain. on the lawn and I'm
the gymnasium of the club. the regular
business OF the conference was taken up
Prof. A. Werner Spanhoofd. president Of
the Columbia Gurnverein, who is also in
charge Of the foreign language depart
rcent OF the public schools Of this city. I'm
his opening address emphasized the neces-
sity OF German citizens taking n more ac-
tive part in all matters pertaining to the
public welfare. He said.
should seek Public Offices.
We want more Germans in the various state leg
isatues; we want more Germans iu Congress and
the senate; We want more Germans I'm public Offices
and other positions of responsibility. and the
German-Americzn National Alliance which has a
membership q a couple II millions q voters viii
make every effort 20 bring about this result The
f. not at all IN keeping with the German pypula-
tion. Where tho-o should DO az least fifty Rerre
sentatves and Senators Of German EXTINCTION there
are only about FIVE The turner's must work IN
harmony with all the other German voters To send
u tho State and national legislatures such men
who shall pledge themselves 90 defend the rriuc-
pies ~ personal liberty and the individual rights
Of every citizen. We want men in Congress who
Subscribe 20 German ideals and who are willing TO
stand for thoso principles u freedom which are
the basis Of American liberty. The days Of the
fanatic must be ended; there must be more truo
liberty and sc is our mission 20 90 oar best In
bringing about this result
Prof. Spanhoofd admonished the Balu-
more delegates 20 send German citizens
20 Congress and instruct them as 70
what Is wanted and expected ON them.
Retired Into ObscurIty.
Louis Hoffman,. the president OF the
Baltimore Turner'S. replied 10 Mr.. Span
hoofd, promising his assistance in the
political progress Of the turner's.
The question Of establishing German
language schools was also debated. and
parents were requested 10 mako 70
point to send their children TO these
schools so they may thoroughly learn
20 understand German ideals and aims.
and also the beauties of the German
poets and wisdom Of the philosophers Of
the fatherland.
Want Football Revised.
Football was informally discussed. it
being the prevailing opinion that IL should
he revised TO make IL safe TO life and
limb. There was no word Of ceusure of
the game. II being one OF the funda-
mental principles OF the turner societies
everywhere 20 introduce their system Of
calisthenics I'm the public school currlcu-
lum, the members seemed 10 be Of the
opinion that now is the opportune time
70 advocate the adoption OF the system
The German turner's look upon football
or baseball. or wrestling and boxing as
part Of their system of athletic educa-