The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-22
PRESIDENT
FOR MORE
SPORTS
Coolidge Tells Recreation
Conference Revival Of Play
Spirit Is Needed


vival of the play spirit in Ameri-
ca, President Coolidge today
opened the first national con-
ference on Outdoor Recreation,
called by the Government to de-
wise methods of systematically
developing nationwide recreation
and physical development.
Advance Of civilization, the
President warned, is taking the
people further and further away
from the active outdoor life
which is so essential to the well
fare of a nation.
Urges Wholesome Play.
"Our country is a land of cultured
men and women" Mr.. Coolidge said,
1T is a land Of agriculture, Of in.
dustries. of schools, and of places Of
religious worship. It is a land of
varied climes and scenery. Of noun
tain and plain, Of river and lake. 1t
is the American heritage. We must
make 1t a land of vision. a land Of
work, of sincere striving for the
good, but we must add to all these.
In order to round out the full
stature of the people, an ample
effort to make it a land of whole
some enjoyment and perenniaily
gladness.
Side by side with the industrial
plants should by the gymnasium
and the athletic field.
. Along with the learning Of q
trade by which a livelihood is to be
earned should there go the learning
OF how to participate in the actiVi-
ties of recreation, by which life
may not only be more enjoyable,
but more rounded out and cOln.
plete.
THE country needs instruction in
order that we may better SECURE
these results.
Pleads For Children.
'Too much emphasis can not be
placed on the efforts to get the
children out of the alleys and off
the streets into spacious open places
where there is good sunlight and
plenty of fresh air.
Such an opportunity has both a
physical and mental effect. 1t
restores the natural balance of life
and nourishes the moral fibre Of
youth"
The President explained that in
calling the conference there had
been no idea of federal domination
OF athletic activities.
Sports He Favors.
Necessarily" he said, they are
largely local and individual, and to
be helpful they must always be
spontaneous"
Mr.. Coolidge touched particularly
upon golf, tennis, fishing and hunt.
ing, baseball. football, polo, and
gardening, as forms Of sport and
recreation which will develop and
better the nation.
The Presidents cold. from which
he has suffered for the past week,
hampered him in the delivery Of
his speech. His voice was strong
at the start, but broke several
times before he finished. Physi-
clans said another chlorine gas
treatment might be necessary to
clear up the cold entirely.
More than 800 delegates are In
attendance at the conference which
opened for three-day meeting in
the auditorium Of the New National
Museum today. More than 100 ma
tional organizations are represented
by the delegates.
Secretary Of War Weeks, presid-
ing as honorary chairman, called
the conference to order at 10 o'clock.
The Rev. James Shera Montgomery,
chaplain Of the House of Repre-
sentatives, offered prayer. Then
came the singing Of America" fol-
lowed by President Coolidge's ad.
dress. Assistant Secretary of the
Navy Theodore Roosevelt, executive
chairman Of the conference. ex.
planned the objects Of the confer.
epce and tentative plan whereby
they are to be accomplished. Ad-
journement was announced ut noon.
= Topics in Addresses.
During the days sessions series
OF short addresses were delivered
covering a number Of subjects hav.
ing bearing on outdoor activities
and recreation. Among those max
ing addresses was John C. Merriam,
who told of the recreational, eco.
life.
Frank Chapman gave an interest.
ing talk on the birds of the United
states. Waterways and what they
mean was described by VIII II. dig.
The relation Of recreation In forests
ana parks to wild life was interest.
insiy presented by Charles G.