The Washington times., 1912-02-12
ADVOCATES ATHLETICS AT
BUSINESS HIGH SCHOOL
To the Editor of THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
1t can be plainly seen that the writer
who signs himself "A Graduate of the
business High School," is prejudiced
against athletics in any form, and this
fact is In itself evidence enough to dis
qualify him for any sane argument or
the subject. Further. for him to SUD-
pose that The Former Business High
School Student" IS a reprobate, and
lazy, because OF his love for clean
sport and school spirit, is TO say the
least. caddish and narrow-minded. I
do not know either one of the writer's,
and beg To be spared Il meeting with
the latter, il his statements are an indi-
cation Of his true self. but l do know
that a good many Of the remarks of
"A Former Business High School Stu
dent" are true, ami will bear investiGa-
ton.
I am a graduate Of this school. and
some of the most happy days l ever
spent were within the wallS IF the
gymnasium, deckcd out in white jer-
soy and short running pants. Well do
| remember the stealthY tread. rubber
heeled. you know, Of "FroGgy" Davis
entering the gym. while announcing
that the boys of the track team would
have to quit runninS on the suspended
circular oval built for tina purpose,
because the boys in blue desired to
parade up and down. All athletic men
know that runners wear soft-soled
shoes, and why boys trotting around a
moor I do not know. Mr.. Davis CON
tended that 1t would distract their at
tention. an assertion which proves that
the future soldiers were more interested
whv give the preference to the cadets
above clean sport? Athletics are mora
needed at Business High School than
at any other NJ the nigh schools, be-
cause the graduates. almost without ex-
ception, become bookkeepCrs and
stenosraphers. an occupation which af-
fords little exercise, and unless they
have some, athlstic spirit and engage
in tho various sports while at school,
1t is seldom that they have chance
afterward Besides, the training and
incentive caused by winning race
develops stability OF character and self
confidence in ones ability.
Back in 1906. the year I graduated.
athletics were not encouraged by any
lnember os the faculty to extent that
they would visit the gymnasium during
practice. except NIr Finkle, true loT-
the fellows and turn hend-srringss with
he rest of us. and we never had
molecule of respect less for II.
The track team, basketball team;
and kept alive by the untiring EFFORTS OF
body Of individual students who did
all In their power 70 make success IN
the face II an indifferent faculty head
ed by Principal Allan LAWS. There is
possibly one or two exceptions TO this,
Int it is an indisputable fact that ath;
letics were not encouraged and assistpd
az were the cadets. Central was the
possessed that material asset, school
spirit. which the maker of record
breakers. Eill Foley. used to say was
" woefullv lacking a. Business The. cry
IN 1905 was, "Nait until we get four
Central something" RusinCss has u
fOup-ypa~ course now. Has II improved
! In athletics above Central? No. II Is
ubvlous that the reason is elsewhere
ana | think that the Former Business
High School Student has stirred up the
mud In the right pond. Make Bill
Foley athletic adviser at Business and