Pueblo chieftain., 1921-05-19
BY Frederic ]. Hakkin.

Washington. d. C, May ls.-With
the opening in the house office building
Of a gymnasium supported by personal
contributions from 14n congressman,
the physical culture movement seems
to have struck Capitol Hin full force-
Rerhaps the sudden interest of the
congressman in their physical condition
is not hard to explain. They have re-
Gently been holding hearings in the
committee on education on a bill TO
establish nation wide system of phy-
slcal culture. and the figures showing
the need for such n measure have been
truly alarming. They show that a
large percentage OF American men are
physically unfit. and that among
sedentary workers, lack of exercise
and fresh air are the big causes we
have conquered germs, only to let our
llvers and hearts and other vital or
gans degenerate for lack OF an occas-
ional shaking UP.
The congressman and senator arc
the sedentary men par excellence
Sitting is their business congress-
mans reputation depends partly on
how much time he spends sitting in
the house. and when he leaves there ne
goes to his office and sits down ana
spends four hours debating letters. ek.
planning that the garden seeds arc all
gone and why he could not recommend
Is men for one postmastership-
Formerly oratory gave the legislator
all the exercise he needed. Men like
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay used
TO get up a good sweat every time ihey
addressed the house Then they woulu
take plunge IN the Potomac and a
rub down. and so keep in the best OF
trim.
Blu, the style IN oratory has changed
There is not as much swinging ana
hammcring and waving a. there used
to be. oratory no longer take the
49, W.Sa y
members OF the house. especially, DO
not get the chance, to talk often
enough to keep them In really good
trim. Tho congressman says a few
words and then extends his remarks IN
the Record The orations that the
home folks read are delivered only to
stenogrnphers or even written with
lend pencil.
Hence tho need for tho congressional
gymnasium which has recently bccn
opened on the first floor OF the house
office building in 4 space formerly oc,
cupicd by the Democratic national
committee.
4 Fighting Ccnaress~as.
The idea Is credited to Representa- .
tive Brittrn Of Illinois, and Reed OF
New York. After the balance OF IN.
their willingness to take part in the
plan each was assed SO. With TINS
money Representative Britten u5naE-
ed to obtain complete equipment Tor
tn. gymnasium.
For the legislator who seeks diversion
or exercise. there Is provided hand
ball court. three rowing machines. TWO
punching bags. n wrestling mat. hori-
zontal bars. abdominal MASSAGE ma
chinss, n gymnasium "horsc. and any
number OF medicine balls. boxing
gloves. chest weight pullcys. lndlan
Ill .NFNe. fol lsk 4
and breast plates. In addition, there
are lockers. shower baths, steam
room. rubbing tables. and an electrical
cabinet bath.
Tho gym idea was conceived dur.
| ing tho last session OF congress, and
the money for the equipment collect
cd Every day there is spasmodic use
I OF the gymnasium, but 1t sS planned
now TO have regular classes to whir
congressman into good trim. The two
originntora OF the plan with heprc-
sentative Newton. OF Minnesota, have
been named as committee to get In
touch with tho athletic authorities o'
tho navy. marine corps. and George
] town University. with a view tn secur
, ing tho services of the best athletic
Z coaching available, 1t is planned tc
hold this class in tho morning, duo &c
the embarrassment which might result
from n roll call interrupting an af.
tcrnoon class. dragging nearly naked
statesmen from their violent physica
cxertions, forcing them to dress hur.
I rfedly. dash over to the Capitol. and
answer to their names.
! It is not expected that the full ia
! subscribers to the fund for the equip
mont OF tho gymnasium will take ad-
vantage of the opportunity Of coach
cd class in physical culture will offer
them Some OF the older members will
not attend. and many of the house
leaders contributed with no idea nj
heing able to devote definite frac-
ton of their time to being put into
! good bodily trim.
! Captain John CraiEe. of the marine
corps. will have general supervision ot
! the physical work of the statesmen
when tho class Is formed. He is an
overseas veteran, and now, in add,
I ton to being one OF tho aides to Major
General Lejune, ommandant of the
marine corps. is athletic officer Of tho
corps He intends to detail properly
qualified enlisted mon Of tho orgnni-
cation II they are found to be avail
/ Iahlc.
| Captain CraiEe entered the marine
| tsprpS during tho latc war His prpUeas