Evening star., 1915-06-06
Webster.

OF his students. Surrounded by appa-
ratus in the gymnasium valued al thou
sands of dollars, he yet emphasizes the
daily walk as more important than any
other exercise. DR.. John Finley. presi-
dent Of the New York City College. 10
another firm believer in the virtues of
the daily walk. He believes in doing a
certain distance by the watch each day.
His time for a mile varies from nine
teen to twenty-one minutes, according
to his own daily observation.
When the daily walk Is out Of the
question for busy people, the weekly
walk is at least within reach. Walking
clubs are beginning to appear in every
large city. Most of these are conr-
posed of men and women who enjoy
nature as well as the exercise Of walk
ing, and are desirous Of becoming
familiar with the best walks in their
frequently chosen title for a walking
club. 1t is claimed that the first wan
derlusters' club was organized in Balti-
more several years ago. The favorable
attention it received from the local
press quickly carried the idea to other
cities.
The Wanderlusters of Washington,
D. c., have more than 1000 members.
who have taken weekly tramps dur
ing the past year. Most of these are
employees of the different government
departments, although all sorts OF peo-
pie may be found among the hikers-
United States senator. were included
among the mixers who. took some Of
the trips last summer.
The Wanderlusters can hardly be
called an organization. because they
have never
Wanderlusters Have adopted any
No Formal Officers. ferms, earns, efncsr. etHc.sa
or collected dues. A few persons in
terested announced the movement last
summer. and all those desiring to walk
were invited to join the trips. which
were planned to include as many in
teresting spots as possible within
reach of the National Capital. The
routes are planned by one or more
persons, who then act as leaders of
the party. The announcement of the
route is made by the local papers a
day or two in advance, and all who
desire to join the hike meet at the
point decided upon. The party usually
contains almost 200 persons.
The start is generally made about
q O'Clock Sunday afternoon from the
terminus of some street car line,
where the mixers ms.t. The average
walk ranges from eight to ten miles,
and is made in about five hours. Ar
rangements are generally made by
which those who cannot stand so long
a tramp may leave the party at some
point along the way. During the sum-
mer some of the trips are arranged
upon Saturday afternoon. The bird
lovers among the Wanderlusters also
are in the habit Of taking early MORN
ing walks in order to enjoy the songs
of the numerous birds.
With the beginning of the walking
movement came various articles of
clothing supposed to be conducive to
the comfort OF the hike. Most of
these have been tried and found want
ing The male hiker may prefer a
soft shirt to starched linen, but an
ordinary suit. with any good COM
Portable shoes. is apt to prove moro
satisfactory than the pleated coat
knee breeches and hobnai1ed shoes
which the clothier may offer him az
adapted to walking. The
woman hiker needs only a good COM
Portable skirt and shirt waist. She may
have more difficulty about her shoes,
in view of the heel monstrosities now
upon the market, but shoe with a
broad heel is best. A heel which is
too low is likely to be as annoying
as one that Is too high. It will fatigue
the foot on a long tramp. and may re-
suit in a fiattened arch. which is q
serious matter.