The Washington times., 1923-11-23
HEAL I HIKING
CLUB HAS 800
MEMBERS
Capt. Godfrey Rodrigues Is
Gathering Followers From
All Over City.

Hiking clubs, individual mixers.
and other persons seeking health In
outdoor exercise, planning to join
Capt. Godfrey Rodrigues on Satur-
days hike, will meet tomorrow after
noon at the Georgetown approach to
Key Bridge. The hike will start
promptly at o'clock in the after
noon.
A walk Of between three and four
miles on the Virginia side of the
Potomac river will be led by Captain
Radrigues. It is hardly possible the
walk will extend as far as Chain
Bridge, although there Is growing
demand that hike be taken over
the route between the two bridges.
This will be the first walk carrying
the mixers outside the District.
Students in Party.
Scores of high school students and
students from the George Washing
ton University have arranged to join
the party. In addition, practically
all of the members of the recently
organized Washington Health Hiking
Club, which now has a membership
Of more than 900, will be on hand.
Since Captain ROdrigues began his
daily hikes, featured by lessons in
physical culture, under the auspices
of The Washington Times and The
Washington Herald, interest in hiIx-
ing has steadily increased In the
secretarial circle Of the Senate Office
Building. Many Of the women oc-
cupying such positions will take
part in tomorrow's outing. A con-
tingent from the House Office Build
ing will also swell the ranks Of the
mixers. Only q rainy afternoon will
prevent the organization Of one of
the largest hiking parties ever leav-
ing Washington for a rawble
through the open country.
Long Hike Sunday.
A hike through Maryland win be
taken on Sunday. The mixers will
leave Chevy Chase circle at 1890
b. m. Those who desire to do SO will
carry lunches with them. This win
probably be the longest walk under.
taken. It Is planned to bring the
hike to an end at the circle about
S o'clock. Starting at half past
twelve makes 1t possible to join the
hike without 1t interfering with at
tendance at religious services.
One7Of the results Of Captain Rod
rigues' hikes is the organization Of
the Washington Health Hiking Club.
More than 800 men and women have
enrolled in the organization. No
initiation Is charged, and no dues
attached to membership. The club
will hold regular weekly hikes during
the winter. They will be taken, 1t
Is said, on Saturday afternoons and
| on holidays. Sunday hikes will also
be organized. No walking club Of
its size previously existed in the
city. Members of the club have been
given a series Of lessons in physical
culture exercises by Captain Rodri-
cues and these will be practiced by
the club while hiking,
Clubs To Federate.
Practically all of the hiking clubs
of the city are officiating with the
Health Hiking Club. 1t is expected
this will result In the formation here
OF a hiking club federation which
will ultimately be extended to include
outside clubs.
Yesterdays hike, starting at s
o'clock at the zero milestone, in
cluded a walk around a section of
the Ellipse and a circling Of the
basin. The latter is one of the popu-
lar hiking routes frequently covered
| by walking organizations on late
afternoon outings.
Unless weather conditions interfere
the regular daily hike, led by Captain
Rodrigues, will start from the zero
milestone this afternoon at 4:45
o'clock. Previous to starting, a series
of physical culture exercises will be
practiced. The exercises are being
given in progressive sequence, the
aim being to include in the course
calisthenic movements designed to
effect specific results, such as weight
reducing, correction of fallen arches,
and general body upbuilding.