Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-09-19
Physical Fitness Should Be a Big
Factor III Making Men From Youths


rests not alone on such characteristics
i'm its training that appeal TO boy in
stinnts, but on the systematic public
ljy and encouragement that have
made 1t fashionable to belong to the
organization. Now if in i|ncorpor-
atiug military training I'm the pubic
schools the publicity and encourage
mcnt and especially the i]nterpreta-
tion placed on the training in the
home were SO directed as to en-
phasize the civic rather than the mil
, itary ain and value, it would not nee
cSsarily follow hat the ends of wal
would be served more than the ends
Of peace.
one thing has been demonstrated
by this war that may be utilized in
turning publ!C-sChool military train
ing to good account for vocational
preparation; that is hat it is not
enough in modern warfare to have a
more or less technical knowledge of
the science ana practice of arms.
Physical fitness, to be able to dig
miles Of trenches and stand in them
knee deep in slect and water for
weeks if need be, has counted more
than prowess with the gun. To be
manually expert, TO be mechanically
skilled is the demand of twentieth
century war, with its battles in the
clouds and under water, and almost
anywhere except on the carth's sur
face. Think Of the demand FOR
m~echanicians where the entire battle
front is wired, commands issued and
guns directed by telephone, scouting
done by air crafts, ammunition and
supplies and hospital service depend
cut on motor equipment. Think Of
] th.. ,HaufnaBrfRr gl.f1 V,tlII il, ,aaI
and bridge markings and repairing
forts. The field is enc vast piece of
machinery and the men who serve it
must understand machinery and me-
chaUical construction.
Thus military training may be
made to help the movement for Oca
tional guidance by connecting educa-
ton directly with the business of
making a living. The Boston pan of
vocational guidance, which has at
tracted the favorable attention of
educators, is an adoption to industrial
work of the idea underlying the Boy
Scout movement, the boys being or
ganized in squads under military
training and discipline. These squads
devote their leisure time for a week
each TO personal observations of the
forty leading Industries Of the city.
Appointments are made by the squad
leaders with employees and the boys
are coached in advance for their OBJ
ser~vations. on the results obtained,
by which the boys form an idea of
the work for which they are best
suited, their vocational training is
based.
Tho object Of this instruction Is the
development Of character, heath and
usefulnoss-requisites of both the
good civilian and the good soldier. 1t
was found that some such plans was
necessary not only TO keep boys I'm
school until they had completed the
high school course, but to fill the gap
from the time they left school until
they were industrial'y adjusted. A
survey disclosed the fact that today
the average employer is obliged to
/ tire and discharge five boys to every
one he keeps; and likewise that the
boys are compelled TO make about
the same number Of shifts from job
10 job before they get settled. This
Plan Of training them in the funda-
ment5ls OF life and in some definite.
practical work reduces the percentage
of misfits and is accompanied by the
teaching IF habits Of self-care and
setting up" exercises that give them
! the physical vigor that is the civilians
right as well as the soldiers requisite.
Among the eastern high schools
that have already adopted military
training the Swiss system is favored.
In Switzerland schOolboys are re-
quired TO take body building excr-
cises, but are only encouraged" to
learn how to shoot until they attain
the age Of 10, when they they are put
into real military training with a
siNty-five-day course for infantry,
] ~ for "a rfil1aVV "a nd on for aa,.41Fvr
For the rest of its national efficiency
Switzerland relies on It's fine system
Of manual and vocational training.
which covers the whole school period
from kindergarten up.-Pauline Per
| twinkle in Dallas News.