The evening world., 1917-08-29
Athletics Necessary for
Physical Development
Of Men, Says Col. Fisk
Commander of Seventh New
York Infantry Declares Sol
y diers' Playtime Makes Bet
ter Fighting Men of Them,
Morally and Physically.
. A THLETIcs," said Col. will

n A THLETICs." said Col. will
~ lard c. Fisk, commander OF
the Seventh New York In
fantry, "are necessary for the physi-
cal development OF our men. They
are as essential as practice In trench
digging, and l might say that ath-
letics develop good trench diggers.
The Seventh Regiment has always
been provided with athletic supplies.
1 find them as necessary as some Of
the prescribed equipment.
There Is talk about certain daily
schedules for our troops when they
get into camp, though nothing off,
cial has been announced. 1t may be
work will keep the men busy all
week except Saturday afternoons and
Sundays. There may not be as much
time for sports under the new
schedules-if any have been arranged.
But what time there is will find the
men doing as they do on the border
playing baseball. boxing. running.
Athletic equipment did not last long
on the border. and there Is constant
need OF new supplies.
Il have not yet found that ath-
letics interfere with military work
and / do not believe there could be
such Interference in a body OF well
trained soldiers. That the soldiers
playtime makes better fighting men
OF them morally and physically goes
without saying. Our chaplain is in
charge Of the regiments athletic
1 equipment, and that, to my mind, In
I dicates upon what u high plane camp
sports are placed in the army.
AT the border there was no or
ganized ball playing or other sports.
1t was free for all so that none who
does his share toward equipping
troops with sporting goods need fear
that they will be monopolized by
certain teams. There was q wide
distribution OF athletic supplies, es-
pecially In the case OF baseball. A
variety OF equipment will make 1t al
the better, for a regiments athletic
tastes cover a wide range"
A glance at the regimental trophy
room will substantiate Col. Fisk''
assertion that the Seventh Is par
ticularly strong for athletics. Som'
OF the cups were won in athletic com
petltlOnB neld DeloTe lne NlNh W. al
Ever since the Seventh was mobil'
lied last month there has been 9
constant system 2f sport activities II
: the great armory at Park Avenu
and Sixty seventh Street. Whei
drills permit the mon will be foun'
every day on the big parade floo
playing baseball. In the gymnasium
on the top floor handball Is the ia
3 yorite exercise. In the compan'
. rooms when work is over no time 1
l lost before the company members ar
e going through the motions OF Benn
: Leonard. There is so much boxin
!, that the gloves wear out quickly.
THOSE who contribute TO the Arm
Q Athletic Fund, the official fund nor
. being collected by The Evenin
n world. will be doing their bit towar
I the furnishing Of all New York sol
n diers with athletic materials. Spol
= equipment is highly essential bot
. FOR the soldiers fighting ehicienc
d and recreation. Athletics will be
big feature in the training OF n
United states troops. but at preseI
y there is great shortage OF supplies.
Il Under the supervision of the Con