Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-29

. p. 2. ] 2 T. t. 4
6,126, were in the swimming pool. The
members who attended $50 gymnasium
classes held from Oct. to April 20,
numbered 5000. It is estimated tina:
during that time $50 resident
members, and others who do not be-
long to any ass location, who used the
gymnasium privileges increased the
total attendance in the gymnasium to
22,376.
The Y. NJ. C. A. orchestra played
thruout the dinner hour.
Griffith Gives Fine Talk.
In introducing Mr.. Griffith. Super
intendent of Schools Aaron Palmer SAID
that he and Mr.. Griffith had been born
aud reared in the same town in Car
roll county, Illinois, and paid a hlsh
tribute to Griffiths success in his ath
letic work and also his accomplish
ments with boys and young men. Mr..
Griffith retaliated by telling the as
semblage that Mr.. Palmer was the first
bow who ever pitched curved baseball
in Carroll county.
Taking up his subject. The Place Of
Athletics in the Worlds Work" the
speaker dwelt for some time on the
dangers and possibilities of the pres
ent age More changes" he declared.
ARE taking place during this age than
during any other since the beginning
of time" These changes are due main
~ to prosperity. and are taking the
form in many cases of sensuaIlty
prodiga lily, and wasteful eNtravagance.
The present day tendency is to follow
IT,, line of least resistance. and this
Invariably leads to life of ease AMI
nothing especially successful, accord
ing to Mr.. Griffith's ideas. What We
Young men and middle aged men OF
the present day must do to counteract
these tendencies which are positively
dangerous said Mr.. Griffith. lis to de-
velop better bodies and health, re-
move the prejudices that exist against
athletics among many people. and
last but not least. develop spirit OF
better craftsmanship and fair play in
the commercial world.
Why Athletics Are Valuable.
1T is well-known fact that the
best men of our time. those with the
best brains invariably have the best
and cleanest bodies" was Mr.. Crit
tiths statement IF we develop ou~
bodies and get in the habit of clean
living, it will help our minds. Secondly.
"
athletics that exists in the minds Of so
many parents Make them see that it
Goes their boys good, not harm. and
that il helps them towards right living.
by making them abstain from evil
he bits
As his last and strongest point the
speaker dweit with emphasis on the
fact that fair play and craftsmanship
is given a higher place in athletics than
in any other activity. IF we would
adopt the same methods Of fair play III
the bushes and industrial world that
W.. use in athletic field r gymnas-
ium. this would be much better world
than it is" was the way Mr.. Griffith
put it Nowhere will you find men so
absolutely fair and square as in ath-
letirs No one ever gets chance t.
elbow others out of the way and get
a head start. as is SO often done Ia
business"
Several other striking illustrations
were used to carry home this point:
Finally Mr. Griffith pleaded with his
hearers to endure. persevere. and above
all be fair and "a game sport in thel:
business life as we'll as athletic, and
the present and future generations
would be better and happier all the
way thru.
Mr.. Griffith is an earnest and quiet
speaker and made an extremely ia
vorau ole impression His address wa
given the closest attention.
Moving pictures of the Olympic
games a, Stackholm were shown the
boys upstairs.