Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-31
Congress Gets Athletic


u Wiutsf I'll sleepy WhtbiNI 1phH'N19 y /
awnking TO an almost unprecedented |
state of pep. The House of Representa-
tives has for two months maintained !
a gymnasium and the effects Of breathing |
md exercise can already be noted by a |
close observer
Reports from members themselves |
show that there is nothing like q lew /
rounds with the gloves to put man INTO |
shape to fight bis legislative battles
Others find that punching bag and o I
shower are the best means OF letting on |
steam after hot argument over the |
peace treaty.
The first discoveries of these prescrp- |
tons for efficient lawmaking have been
eager 10 convert their felow-Congress- !
men to exercise, so that they too may be
rejuvcnated. So far, 125 Representatives
have enrolled for gymnasium work, while
good many Others who shrink from the
rigors OF systematic exercise are trying
golf, horseback riding, and country hikes
as healthy and at the same time pleasure
able pastimes
The Senate has taken no part in the
athletic craze II is next 10 impossible
to start new fashion in the upper House.
for most of the members are elderly and
settled in their ways. In the House OF
Representatives, on the other hand curly
/ properly sponsored, be made Congress
| sonaI hobby. Younger Representatives
| come to Washington every session
Where ten years ago Representatives
| tried to start a gymnasium and failed Tor
want of interest, today younger House
seizes upon the idea with enthusiasm,
and faithfully tolls with dumb-bells and
weights IN order 10 put itself into fighting
| trim,
CONGRESSIONAL BOXER.
The gymnasium idea originated with
Representative Reed of New York and
Britten of Illinois. Both Of these men
had been college athletes, and Representa-
tive Britten has held the amateur light
weight boxing championship Of Illinois.
Both men felt that Congress was fiabby,
and that better circulation Of blood would
mean clearer thinking.
/ There was no available space IN the
| Capitol. but one vacant room about eighty
feet long was found in the House Office
Building Ten dollars was collected from
each member who was interested 10 the
project With 81 900 Of the money thus
obtained the spare room was converted
into a model gym with apparatus for all
the stunts appropriate TO men If middle
age Ropes and shining poles were
thought too strenuous, but there are
parallel bars, chest weights, medicine balls
and Indian clubs
A trainer for the Congressional athletes
was found in n. NJ Farrell, an employe
of the Captois disbursing office This
young man was formerly Il college athlete
and afterward instructor Of the gymnasium
NJ susd,iehanna University. Mr.. Farrell
looks the typical football player For
tunately for Congress. his youth and
sturdincss are coupled with very conserva-
tive ideas of what d Congressman can
safely do in the way II exercise. lie
holds no illusions OF turning podgy and
overfed statesman into q Sandow or an
adonls lie Is convinced, however, that
setting-up exercises taken IN moderate
doses BY Congress will in the long run
benefit the country
From all reports, his proteges certainly
seem 10 be taking their physical improve
fnent seriously Representative Evans
OF Nevada holds the title Of the most
enthusiastic athlete. while the record Tor
regular attendance il contested by q
number Of statesmen.
At eleven 0 clOck any morning. or A
$50 ID the afternoon, a delegation q
Congressman NAV be seen making its WAY
to the gymnasium. Most Of the mer
walk with 4 fine attempt III bounding
vitality to the admiration Of the elevator
bows and some OF their less vital col
leagues.
PROMOTES sTupLrrIED DRESSING.
In the dressing room. the Glass puts On
regulation gymnasium attire here
might fittinglv be an exclamation pom
after this last sentence, for II requires
large amount of pep ana StoIci>m in any
mortal 10 undress and dress again Tor tn
sole purpose Of pulling chest weights
and Congressman as class have not beer
especially noted for either pep or stociIsm
Some ct the Representatives hav'
stopped wearing Spats 70 save iltth
time and energy. There are ulmors. too
of rise in favor OF the bow nccktle tina
can be hooked on with one turn OF tn
wrist. and Of a proffered reward Tor an,
shortcut to dressing.
Besides changes IN attire already takln.
place. changes in the Congressional tvpt
may be legitimately prophesled. >cttln.
up Is a great cure for bay windows an<
triple chins. for instance. And 70 (acIh
tate dressing some of the members hav'
had their hair cut shorter. The long-h4;r
ed Congressman Is a tradition N thu
country, but the wavy locks that could b,
so dramatically swept back TO Illustrate
point in speaking are a distinct handicap
In sport. II the athletic boom continues
requests for 'stubble field cut ma,
permanently replace the old popular lie
mand for statesman length in the HoUs,
barber sanctum.
Handball is the most popular eNercis,
with the Congressman. 1t Is al the sam,
tune one of the most beneficial, because il
this game, practically all OF the 400 ok
muscles OF the body are brought int
play Besides tks very beneficial setting
up exercises, handball and boxing AT
regarded by Mr.. Farrell as the best IN
door exercises for middle-aged men, be
cause Of the general benefit derived from
F. them.
Young MIR Farrell reports that SO ia
none of his pupils have been tAnocke,
o out" or injured while working With him
II is part Of his job 10 see that 55-leag
old statesman doesn't get purple IN tn
I face in his conscientious efforts to brea
! the Ginning record, or that he ism / wor
7 out 10y younger man IN u boxing bout
! Congressman from 90 years down, and i
! all degrees of physical fitness, are en-
! rolled with Instructor Farrell. tie studio
! them all, and knows just how much eac
I Of them can stand
| The Congressional gym is strictly
private affair financed by the contribl
! tons of members. Its hours are arrange
I 50 that member need not cut 3 commit
tee meeting or a session of the House i
| order To get in his regular stint of exci
: else