The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-05
WILL CONTINUE
SPORTS AS FAR
AS COMP ATABLE
IN WINNING WAR.
Manly Art of Self-defense
Valuable in BayOnet
Instruction
FOUR NEW CHAMPS
MADE DURING 1917
Herman, Leonard, Lewis
and O'Dowd Succeed in
Grabbing Titles
lRv Associated Press J

New York, Jan. Gut of the haz
of uncertainty which surrounded Am
erican sport, following the entry o
the nation into the world war, hai
come the fixed purpose to continue
the pastimes and recreative cOmpeti
tons, so far as is compatible with {
successful conduct Of the conflict
during the ensuing year. This Il
| the conclusion reached by a majority
Of the leading amateur and profes
| sional sport governing associations
| of the country. In this attitude they
have the endorsement and assistance
Of the leading government and ser
vice officials from President Wilson
down to those in charge of the var
| ious military and naval environments
1t has been demonstrated in in
Vulnerable ways that sport and ath-
! letic competition have a permanent
and beneficial place in the life OF
America. The stimulus which comes
with bodily and mental upbuilding,
| incidental to recreative contests, is
now being recognized and appreciat-
ed as never before. The need Of ii
is realized by those who in the past
were inclined to view the period de-
voted to sport and exercise as a waste
Of time. The sums collected by sport
governing organizations for war and
charitable purposes and the individ-
ual efforts and sacrifices Of those
prominent, individually, in various
branches of sport have raised the
game to a higher plane than at any
time in the history of the country.
There are but a few Of the reasons
why the continuation of sport is
urged and planned by those who, in
their official connection with amateur
and professional games and recreative
contests, are arranging for an active
season in 1918 as outlined in the fol-
lowing official statements:
Tennis.
(By Julian s. Myrick acting presi-
dent, United States National Lawn
Tennis assOciation.l
The United States National Lawn
Tennis association at it's annual
meeting in February will consider
the executive committees recon-
mendation that championships be
restored for 1918. and indications
are that this will be approved. This
action is advised by the committee
in the belief that it will best con-
serve the interests of tennis and the
people Of our country.
Americans like the competitive
idea in sport, no matter whether a
worlds championship or some minor
title is involved. 1t is our belief
that restoration Of tennis champion
ships will help to counterfeit the eff
feet Of withdrawing thousands Of
players who are now in government
service. No one can attempt to argue
that a championship without. the
ranking players will display tennis
Of as high class as when those men
4,N MD
coming on and the competition will
be just as keen as ever, and the con-
test between players Of ap-
proximately equal skill is what the
gallery wants to see.
The tennis association believes,
therefore, that it can render pa
triotic service at this time by heed
ing the suggestions from Washing
ton and will do its best to promote
sport, not for the sake Of sporting
honors, but for the benefits to the
health of the individual both men |
tally and physically resulting from
outdoor competition and exercise.
Baseball.
(By John K. Tener, president Of |
the National league.)
There is no good reason why our |
national game of baseball should not |
the season Of 1918 notwithstanding |
The universal anxiety centered in the
terrible conflict now being Waged on \
The European battlefelds for world
vide democracy. l am confident that /
he American people will Loyalty sup
port their national pastime and that
will be even more popular
when this awful emergency shall
nave passed into history.
1t is generally admitted that the
Jest means of obtaining physical
'ecreation is to seek and cultivate
iome outdoor sport. The inclination
or some form Of sport in the open
" youth and adult is as old as the
world. This was true in Greece and
alter in Rome when the great empire
vas in outward form republic. In
,ur modern day the greatest sport
owing people in the universe are
hose Of the English speaking race,
N which the sun never ceases to
hfne, and in whom the spirit Of lib
.rty is more strongly implanted than
my other people since the dawn Of
reation.
The American game Of baseball
lever has had an equal as an out
Ioor sport and it is hardly conceiv-
bile that 1t ever will. 1t seems that
his game Of our own invention In
ludes and embraces every essential
hat stimulates the mind. recreates
he exhausted faculty, amuses the
AIDED sense, revives the sluggish
Hood, makes strong the weak mus
lie and impels a vigor and health to
he body that no other form Of exer-
Use combining the element Of sport
an accomplish. Thousands of
Dung Americans engage In the game
( baseball either as a means Of
exercise and recreationI
r as a means Of honorable livelihood
yhile millions witness the playing OF
ames, both professional and anna
eur.
When the benefits to be derived