Evening star., 1924-05-23
Recreational Coordination.

Most American school children are
familiar with the Latin phrase. Mems
sana in corpore sano.' They are proud
to understand its meaning, "A sound
mind in a sound body" They are
eager to apply this truth by devoting
themselves to sports and games, to
exercises that make for health. Some
times they are not especially keen
upon turning the soundness of body
into mental strength. but unconscious.
ly they are aware of the fact that to
the degree that they are sound" and
we'll they are capable of developing
into healthful adults.
President Coolidge, in opening yes
terday the national recreational con-
ference in this city, urged considera-
ton OF the need of providing means Of
physical training and development, TO
the end of building up our citizenship
physically and therefore mentally
and intellectually. Modern conditions
have little by little cramped the life
of the young as we'll as the elders.
The concentration into cities has de
prived the youth of the land in large
measure of its rightful heritage of
exercise, of matchmaking play. 1t is
necessary to provide facilities, to re-
place the former broad spaces of the
open which lay Immediately at hand
for every child.
| In the cities Fairgrounds are essen
tial. There should be one within prac-
ticable range of every home, places
where the little ones can go for games
! without risking their lives in the traf-
| fic that has driven them from roads
an ample space for the exercising of
the pupils. Every community should
have broad provision for games, for
the sake of the groWn-ups.
In a general way these provisions
have been made, not as liberally as
they should, but in degree to afford
recreational opportunities for greater
numbers than could be accommodated
| a few years ago. The vital importance
Of outdoor exercise to counteract the
sedentary tendencies of present-day
life is recognized. Considerations of
cost have checked this development
somewhat, but happily it is now recog-
nized that no more vitally important
| object can be pursued in the develop
ment Of municipalities than the estab-
lishment of public Fairgrounds for all
ages.
From the playground for children to
the national park, with its acres by
the hundreds of thousands, where the
people can gather for physical and
spiritual refreshment, is a long way.
But it is direct and logical way. In
the development of American re-
sources no more important step was
taken than the preservation of these
spaces, including natural wonders of
where the people can find freedom and
health. The development of the motor
car and of the good highway has
| brought millions into contact with
| these areas. Camping out has brought
health to a great multitude who other
| wise would have languished in the
choking airs Of the cities.
1t is now proposed, through this
present conference, to coordinate the
recreational activities of the cities,
state and nation. A program of de-
velopment may be adopted, to serve as
a guide and a standard. The slogan
Of this meeting is the familiar old
Latin phrase Of the text books, al
ready quoted. Out Of it may, and
should, come marked advance to-
| ward the goal of Sound minds in
sound bodies for Americans.