The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-14

Although the student body as a Whole has not protested off cially against the present status Of the compulsory gymnasium instruction which was inaugu- rated as part of high school curriculum in September, many individuals and organizations in the Hilltop institution have given vent to caustic and out spoken comment concerning the new system.
 The insufferabIe conditions under which students are forced to submit to physical in struction has been the subject of scornful letters published in the official school paper, point ed cartoons by the high schools youthful caricaturists, and or ganized debate by members of the Debating Team.
 Situation IntoIerabIe,"
 That gymnasium instruction l1nder present conditions is not only uncom- fortable to the participants. but de- as well, is the gist of opinion.
 The situation is intolerabIe," re- marked prominent member of the senior class who has been subjected to gym work for several weeks. .s"Stu- dents have been attending gynlna- s1um classes for a month. During that time no effort has been made by the persons responsible to remedy matters The undercurrent of dis satisfaction will develope into open rebellion if the rank conditions un- der which gymnasium instruction is rorced upon the student are not erad-
 NO student objects to gym work. Physical culture is welcomed as a health builder. But where the stu dent is denied the privilege of rfnc- Ing his hot and perspiring body with a dash of cold water and forced to re- turn to his classes in this condition, his health is not only threatened, but able throughout the rest of the day. In many cases the stea ming, soggy gym worker feels the slightly yelled gIances of classmates who occupy seats nearest him and hea artily wishes himself in St. Helena or some equally welI-iSolated spot"
 System Needs Altering.
 Compulsory gymnasium work Is either student or teacher. Many are the arguments against this work. Few if any boosters of the system as it prevails can be found. The reasons NhS AASLA uCl4Oh IS unpOpuldF are as follows:
 The space of time allotted to gym work is too brief. Two periods a week are given to this form of in struction, a total of 80 minutes, 40 minutes to a session. The gym worker must walk from his classes, I which may be located on the third floor down into the basement sym 1 nasiuna. The gym itself is two stories below ground. The arrival Is then obliged to change into jersey and run 1 ming trunks which are necessary re- | galia. After his period of instruc. tion, which never lasts longer than 25 minutes, the trainee changes back 1 into conventional attire and returns post haste to his classes. The op- 5ectors maintain that 25 minutes training twice a week is in- sufficient, and suggest that the period 1 of instruction be heightened to 80 | one day a week. Scene from 'sYanIxee Doodle, Jr' at |
 Reason number two against the sys- | tenn is the jeopardizing of the health | of the trafnee. After a twenty-five | minute session of intensive gymna- sfum work. the trainee Is bound to become overloaded. The proper ex- pedient in this case should be recourse 1 to the shower baths with which the nigh school is plentffuIly supplied. A l cold shower removes the outer layer 1f refuse matter which the pores have exuded. and lowers the temperature of the participant so that the Iilzeli- hood of his taking cold is practicaIlyn