The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-03-04
Justice and Democracy!
The landmarks of Preparedness
An Interesting Article Gompers American
Federation Of Labor, in the March Number of
The Aneric FEEDER

is to maintain itself, it must be able to
defend itself against attacks and inva-
SION 1t must be prepared to defend in
stitutlons OF freedom against force used
by others.
Institutions of democracy and ideals
OF freedom have never been free from
attacks and insiduous dangers. If we
deem them worth defending, we must be
ready and able to maintain them with
efficiency and effectiveness.
Preparedness against war should be
only small portion of the general COM
prehensive national policy of prepared
ness to meet all of the problems of life.
1t is an all-pervading problem Plans
for preparedness against war must be in
accord and coordinate with plans and
policies for preparedness in all other re-
lations of life.
Preparedness involves specific plans
and agencies for defense as well as CO.
ordination with other portions of the
general plan for national Development
1t is directly concerned with plans for
the physical development and conserva-
ton of the citizens. Physical strength
and fitness are fundamental for develop
ment industrially, mentally and morally.
The physical is the basis upon which
we build in all directions. A strong ply
sique is particularly necessary for the
duties and the activities of military de-
Tense of the nation.
or late years, our attitude toward
physical well-being has become saner
and more constructive. We have begun
to appreciate the fact that Our problem
is to maintain health rather than to cure
disease, to prevent physical defects ra-
ther than remedy those that have al
ready happened. We have been making
an attack upon this problem of physical
health through our public school system
and through demands for industrial hy-
giene and sanitation, but as yet our ef-
forts are only beginnings We are work.
ing toward an ideal that will give every
individual information that will enable
him to live intelligently and in accord
with the rules of health.
In the past, we have not been forced
by either environment or by conditions
to thinking out a plan for physical train
ing. We have trusted much to the rug
ged physiques, muscles and nerves train
ed and under control and ability to CO.
ordinate powers quickly to meet emer-
gencies which belong to the outdoor life
of a pioneer people. Life on the front
ier developed physical strength and virile
manhood. Mental and physical weak
ness could not survive in the dangers
of that life. But the frontier has van
ished. The majority of our citizens no
longer live in the open and they show
in their physical development the effects
of the restricted life of the city. They
have not the physical strength or en-
durance that would fit them. without
further preparation, to be called into
service in citizens army.
Since opportunities for physical train
ing are not freely and readily available
to all, some definite national policy must
be devised for physical training and
physical preparedness of all citizens.
Such training is properly part of
educational work and, therefore, should
be under the control and direction of
public agencies, and can be readily given
through our public school system and
other auxiliary agencies.
Physical development and good health
have very vital meaning in the life and
the working ability of each individual
as well as of the whole nation. They are
just as necessary to the best industrial
development of the country as they are
to preparedness for defense. These are
the basis for all development. But we
must be on guard that physical training
shall not be subordinated to the interests
of any one special phase of national life
1t must be in furtherance of broad gen
eral plan of usefulness. Physical train
ing that is narrowly specialized or domi-
mated by any isolated ideal, whether it
be militarism or anything else, is sub
versivc to the broadcst and largest de
veopment of the nation and its people,
Physical training must fit citizens for
industry, for commerce, for service in
the work of the nation, as well as for
service in defense of the nation. But
physical training and preparedness are
insufficient.
There must be a spirit among the peo-
pie that makes them loyal to country and
willing to give themselves to its service
and protection. That spirit can not exist
unless the citizens feel that the nation
will assure to all equal opportunities and
equal justice. They must feel that they
are a part of the nation, with voice
in determining its destinieS. This spirit
of loyalty depends not only upon poIiti-
cal rights, but upon justice and right in
the industrial iield-aye, in all relations
of life.
National preparedness involves also
the coordination and utilization of ma