The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-06

states are preparing to join in the
good work, and the constantly IN
creasing membership has already
passed the 1900 mark.
The program originally laid out by
the organizers was: First, to en-
courage women and children to
swim; second. to teach everywhere
free Of charge; third, to disseminate
knowledge of life saving and first
aid to the injured through personal
instruction and public exhibitions;
fourth to advocate the universal
adoption of up-to-date methods OF
rescue and resuscitation; fifth, to en-
deayor to bring about the introduc-
ton Of compulsory. courses in SWIM
ming and life saving at all SCHOOLS
and colleges for girls.
This program was later ADDED TO-
however. The great interest DIS
played by girls and women In water y,
snorts. and the appearance In the
competitive field Of an undesirapie
element, suggested the advisaoliity
of deyoting attention to this new ae.
ye,opment An athletic department
was thereby started, its object clear
". defined in the official bulletin as
follows: .,o,,a,
nv women, in order to raise the die'
nity Of outdoor sports for the sex, SO
that all may participate in .ne
bealthful exercise Of competitive
I nest;mes without being subjected to
the embarrassing conditions which
frequently arise when men only are
in charge. of arrangements"
Improving the Sport.
The heads of the athletic depart
ment began by forming swimming
,eam. gave 1T a competent coach In
the person of Lionel Mackenzie IN
strrctor at City College, arranged tor
,reouent water carnivals in the home
nool. then took steps TO assume con-
troll Of aquatics for women with the
ayowed purpose of eliminating 'ne
undesirable element, drawing a
sharp line between amateurs ana
professionals, standardizing competl.
ton, and placing the sport on sound
foundation.
Last summer there was every IN
dication that the league authorizes
would attain their object, for most
promoters of meets gladly consented
70 have their fixtures run off under
the able supervision OF the life saw
ing committee.
In the fall, however, the Amateur
Athletic Union granted registration
10 women swimmers and completely
rpset the maturing plans. But the
efforts Of the league did not go to
waste. Its president. Miss Mehrtens'
was selected by the Union to serve
as representative of her sex on the
council board, so she Is able, indi'
rectly, to carry on the good work.
Meanwhile, the beneficial influence
Of the league is being felt from coast
to coast, Many Of its branches have
pools Of their own. where members
NAV Practise and give instruction,
while league representatives also
frequent the public baths and teach
unatfilIated women and children.
Thousands upon thousands thus
profit by the expert schooling so will
lingly and freely placed at their dis
posal.
Long Liit Of Rescues.
And who may count the hundreds
Of lives yearly saved thereby? A
long list Of rescues stands to the
credit Of the fair life savers, but far
greater, no doubt, is the number Of
girls and women who were able to
esrape death through their own ef-
forts, thanks to the instruction re.
ceiyed at the hands Of the volunteer
teachers.
Nor should the value Of the ath-
letic department be underestimated.