Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-27

THE vast increase in girls and
l. women's athletic activities during
the last fve years is reflected in the
number Of public contests. One OF the
most remarkable features Of this devel-
opment Is that the girls of today can
play virtually all of the games that men
and boys play, and they usually 90
them we'll Their proficiency in the
many branches Of sports is limited only
by their physical qualifications.
DR.. Matthew G. O'Brien. who for
eighteen years has had charge, Of MI
physical activities at Central High
School, Is great believer in athletics
for girls. 1--WE are fortunately getting
away from the old ideas that girls
should take no part in athletics, said
Or. O'Brien. "Formerly there was a
lot of prejudice against !competitive
athletics for girls, but this is Ibeing
overcome. and today we can see con
stant increase not only in the NUMBER
of athletic teams for girls but In the
number who take some kind or physfca'
exercise.
"The schools of Philadelphia are
doing a great work in getting girls 10
take some form of wholesome exercise.
There are many women employed lol lo
this purpose. and n number or thell,
are highly trained and we'll equipped
to carry on the work. Just what torIh
Of exercise is best for girls Is hard 70
say. | believe it depends largely upon
the girl and her age.
Girls SliIlful In Sports
MANY of the girls OF today become
very skillfu in many different sports.
Take swimming for example. Giris
,aall,. r., hnt ,uinnprs on the aver
age than boys. They are much more
graceful and for this reason you, VIII
find that the most finished fancy divers
are young girls. Physical limitations
prevent girls from playing football. but
| many of them are able to throw base-
| ball Just like man and take in other
! sports which formerly were not gen =
| orally looked upon with favor.
"The earliest indications Of the in
PRODUCTION Of regular physical training
in Philadelphia was manifested in 1867
in the old Girls High School or
| Sargent street when Miss Leila A
Partridge was assigned to teach elocu d,
ton and 'thc DR.. Dio Lewis system
| of gymnastics. In 1876. when the
building was moved to its present site
Miss Clara Phillips was appointed te
the position.
1.-THE Board of Education hrst ON
cially recognized physical training as {
separate subject Of the school currl
.cuIum about 1850 when Or. Grace u
Spicglc was placed in charge of tn
! physical training in the Girls Higf
! School. In 1894 DR.. Spiegle was made
the head Of the department of hygiene
and physical education in the Philadel
phia Normal School for Girls: Thi
work. the pioneer work of its kind il
the schools Of Philadelphia, had beer
Of the German American type. tn
character changing from time to time
4 notable advance was made in lS;
when DR.. SpicGle introduced medica
inspection rs part of the work.
"It should he noted also that DR.
Spiegc in 1902 prepared II course o
study in physical training to be used il
the elementary schools Of the city, bu
Us the Board a Education made NJ
provision for the supervision of thi
work it was never satisfactorily carrie'
out. "
Athletics Not Too Strenuous
There has also always been lot o
talk, largely by those who did not know
what they were talking about, that mos
athletic contests were too strenuous TO
girls. DR.. o'Brien does not take thi
view. In fact. he believes girls. if il
proper physical condition. capable o