Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-04-25
NATIONAL MOVE
FOR PHYSICAL
REGENERATION
Started by National Security
League Through Committee
Headed by Walter Camp.

Impressed by the fact that % per
cent. of the young men called to the
colors in the draft are being rejected
for physical disability, the National Sc
curity League has started nation
wide movement to promote the phys
ical welfare of the youth Of the land
through the organization by communi-
ties of branches Of a Committee on
Physical Reserve, Of which Walter
Camp, veteran trainer Of athletes, is
chairman. In answer TO a letter sent
by the league to the mayors of all the
cities in the country of over 5000 pop
ulatiOn asking them to appoint COM
mittees to cooperate with Mr.. Camp,
200 committees in 30 states have al
ready been appointed to carry out the
idea. Associated with Mr.. Camp on
the Committee on Physical Reserve
are William G. Anderson, member Of
the Advisory Committee of Yale Uni
versity Gymnasium, and Joseph E.
Raycroft, member Of the War and
Navy Departments Commission on
Training Camp Activities
ECONOMIC Disaster"
In discussing this new effort of the
Security League, S. Stanwood Menken,
president of the league, said:
1.-THE National Security League has
taken up this work because the coun-
try cannot afford without serious eco
homie disaster to lose the benefit of
the service of nearly one-third of the
men who are drafted for military duty
because of physical unftness and
whose places must be taken by those
who have dependents. The draft fig
ures show that % per cent of the
men are physically unfit. The work is
necessary, as, with the strain upon
American brain, 1t Is essential that
public attention be focused upon the
need of paying also due regard to
physical safety. The efficiency of the
human engine and the ability of the
man-power Of the nation to withstand
attrition, and the extra work that the
men who are doing things have to
bear at present, makes it important
that these men should recognize the
part that physical exercise plays In
their ability to bear their full load Of
work.
Life Worth ,0Oo
Furthermore, with the difficulty In
supplying q full quota Of labor for in
dustries, it is necessary that the man
power Of the nation should be in
creased by the maximum measure of
physical strength. Every individual
has direct interest Ia seeing that this
result is brought about. As an eco
nomic matter, each life is estimated to
be worth to the nation 81, 900 and we
cannot afford to waste any part of
this most valuable national asset. AS
q human matter we cannot as a Chris
tan people, supposedly representing
the highest intelligence and civiliza-
ton, allow our people to neglect the
simple things which would save them
If fully understood.
"The work which Mr.. Camp has I'M
dertaken is a movement of such nation
wide Importance and so manifeStly
needed that its mere presentment will
commend it to every thoughtful Ameri-
can"
Thoroughly Agree"
Some of the Endorsements of the Sc
curity League idea in organizing this
nationwide campaign for physical re-
generation read:
Mayor COnnell of Scranton, Pa, 81
thoroughly agree with you as to taking
care Of our young men physically and
morally, and am pleased to cooper
ate with YOU"
Mayor Rasmussen of Fairport Har-
Dor, O., Anything that will promote
the welfare and manhood of our young
men throughout these United States
has my full sympathy"
Mayor Hincke of Pinckneyville, H.,
Il am very much in favor Of this move
ment."
Mayor Hickman of Altus, Okla, 81
assure you that look upon the num-
Der Of young men rejected in the draft
for physical disability with grave con-
Germ, and it is gratifying to me to
know that steps are being taken TO
remedy this condition of affairs"
Mayor Bardine Of Juniata, Pa, I'VE
are ready to work hand in hand with
any object that is for the upbuilding
OF our town and will make it better
place in which to live"
Mayor Barron, Eau Claire, Wis. 81
am very much interested In the sue
ceSSful oneration of voIIr nIen