The Detroit times., 1915-01-09
Sport Authority Predicts That
Such an Appointment Will
Soon BE Made
Cg1F"7N- iTHLETE MAKES
GOOD CTTIZEN-SOLDIER
Thompson Argues Government
Recognition Would Be Great
Thing For Country
BY HAROLD Y. MLLc0N-

Here Is a new idea, but one that
is by no means as wild as il may
seem on first thought Here il is--a
secretary OF athletics iE the cabinet OF
the president of the United States.
HIS duties would be TO spread the pro-
paganda OF outdoor sport 10 make
more popular those things that make
nation healthier. stronger and hap
pier, and to act as the titular head OF
all amateur athletic associations in
the country
The suggestion is closely linked
With the recently undertaken plan 10
create In this country a trained citizen
soldiery, that would be ready 10 take
the held on q few days notice II need
should arise. William Hale Thomp-
son, former all-around athlete and
gridiron star. and recently mayoralty
candidate or Chicago, has broken into
print with an interview that predicts
that q secretary OF athletics will soon
be among the presidents advisors.
Mr.. Thompson argues that a nation OF
citizen athletes can always be quickly
turned into q nation OF warriors. and
that by officially recognizing, direct
ing and popularizing athletics, the
government can go far in making
Americans the healthiest, strongest
and, consequently, the most formida-
bic nation In the world Here is what
Mr. Thompson has TO say:
This scheme is not new with me,
although have said nothing about II
until now | have been working on
this for two years now, and | make
the prediction that We will soon have
member OF the cabinet at Washing
ton who will be at the head OF ath-
letics In this country.
1T is high time that athletics be
recognized officially by the govern
ment OF the United States We are
talking about citizen soldiery, but
what would 1t mean TO our country IL
every man who was physically fit We're
an athlete? l do not mean that every
boy and young man should be com
PEELED to go into athletics, but what l.
have been trying TO do is 10 get ath-
letics on an official basis.
AT first blush II might seem as If
the plan could be classed among the
frivolous, but is it? Just think what
. IL would mean If the government en-
couraged and partially financed ath-
letics in this country. What would 1t
mean TO the race? Why IL would
make America the most healthful
and progressive race on earth. Then
would the matter of defense take care
of itself.
Should the necessity arise when
! the country would need one, two or
10 millions OF men, what an army we
could put in the field, With the ma
jority trained in some kind OF sport II
would necessarily follow that they
would make the best kind OF soldiers
in the world. France, before the pres
ent war, was just beginning to train
Its millions 10 become athletes. Ger
many has done so for years through
Its turner societies, and II might be
we'll to remark In passing that the
Teutons are putting up pretty fair
scrap just now. Military training
will probably be the answer OF most.
but don't forget that the systematic
work done by athletic organizations in
Germany has had lot 10 do with II.
Military training and athletics are
easily linked together. but with us II
would be sport. and not the drudg-
cry OF military life. Sports would be
encouraged without being made com.
Dulsory and a good, strong physique
would be the portion OF every Amer.
can boy who had ambition enough TO
accept the chances which would be
offered.
1T would not be the intention to |,
put all the details OF athletics in the
hands OF the secretary. He would
simply be the head Of the department. |
investigating, recommending and su.
peryising sports and recreation in gen.
eral, something on the order that the
department of labor is doing for labor
now. II would give a free avenue for
every boy in the country, and he
would not be hampered as he is now
between conflicting authorities OF
more or less self-constituted bodies
He would know that everything he
would do would be under the eye OF
Uncle Sam. and what greater patriotic
motive could he have?"