Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-16

camps in the interior where they are to remain for a considerable period they find similar athletic facilities awaiting them. Here it is possible to carry out the athletic programs in a more organized manner Baseball leagues with regular schedules can be arranged to provide exercise for many and recreation for all. All the other athletic activities provided at the ports are offered here.
 The track meets, which are held on certain holidays, attract big. crowds. One was attended by 15,000 men in khaki, and boasted big entry list. Not only were many American off cers in attendance, but group of French officers of high rank was present. As the winners filed by to receive their prizes they were greet. ed by the generals of the Allied armies.
 These meets, authorized by the Ar my. are directed by the Y. M. c. A.. athletic directors. The "Y" supplies the equipment and part of the prizes, the rest being donated by American firms operating in France. The pro- ceeds go to the French Red Cross and other French war charities.
 While only a part of the men take an active part in the play of the com- pany teams, all are affected. The team stands as the representative of the company and as it's men root for it loyalty so the organization is develop ed and an esprit de corps created. The men are drawn closer together and pride in the company and the regiment grows.
 In the more informal games such as volley ball, and playground ball as the ball game played with the soft indoor baseball is termed. Boxing, wrestling soccer, quoits and all the ty- pical American sports give opportun- ity for everyone.
 In some instances regimental meets are held in which every soldier con- petes. Every man participates in each event. If he can cover six feet in the standing jump he counts a point for his company. If he falls he is dead loss. The men run the 220 yard dash in groups Thirty seconds after the start rope is dropped at the finish and only those who have crossed the line count, scoring a point each.
 Other events are conducted in a similar way. Thus men who are not up to the standard of military eff ciency have it forciblv called to their attention and so receive a strong urge from their fellows to bring them- selves up to the mark and raise the company standard.
 Some of the events in which the men are trained have a very direct relation to their military work. There are rescue races in which one man runs certain distance, picks up an other who is lying on the ground. and, using the fireman's hold brings him back to the starting point. Ob- viously this is valuable training to teach soldiers how to rescue wounded under fire. There are bomb throwing, trench jumping and obstacle clearing contests. The athletic director, in consultation with the officers, ar- ranges events suitable to the sur rounding country and the type of fighting in which the troops are like ly to be enbabed.
 !> It is the ambition and the plan of the Y. M. c. A. to have physical director with every regiment in France. Many other directors are needed to care for the interests of the many units not gathered into regiments such as forestry, supply hospital and signal companies. In May there were 15O physical direct ors with the troops in France. By midsummer double that number will i be at work
 These men are under the immediate l direction of E. B. deGroot who is in direct charge of athletics in all areas MT. De Groot was in charge of phy- sical education in the public schools and recreation centers in San Fran. cisco. and prior to that head of the athletic work in the Chicago play. grounds. Associated with him is Ed ward S. Brown. formerly director of physical education in the Philippines
 Serving with them is growing body of men who have served as ath. letic coaches or physical directors in the schools and athletic clubs of Am. erica. Many more are needed for this important work and men above the draft age with athletic ability and experience are being eagerly sought by the Y. M. c, A. in America that they may be sent overseas to join the army.
 When the troops move from the training camps to the front the ath. letic directors accompany them ant the work goes on in the form modi fled to meet the conditions. The dir. ectors take the boxing gloves uI close to the front ilne trenches SC that the troops there stationed may relax in quiet moments. A boxing match, some hand wrestling and oth .er stunts will at once relax the mer stiff from their long vigil in the trench sand relieve the mental strain
 Similar work is being done among the troops in the support trenches The men in the third or reserve line have more freedom and organized ball is often possible when fiele can be found beside hill or wood which Twill shield it from observation. The linen play with guards set, ready tt scatter to cover if a Boche plane ap pears or shells begin to drop. The joy s,o crnufouoouc Snort dnnc p,1Orh if