Evening star., 1924-05-22
RECREATION OUTDOORS
CALLED NATIONS NEED

SV.@3S NV uIOIv ~ N160
Continued from First Pase.)
mind in a sound body. When most Of
our original educational institutions
were founded. they at first served a
race Of pioneers. They were attend
ed by those whose very existence de-
pended on an active outdoor life in
the open country. The most univer-
bodily exercise. Those days long ago
passed away for most of the people of
this country.
There is still and must ever be
tremendous amount of manual labor,
but to large extent this has become
designated correctly as drudgery. The
opportunity for education of the
mind, however, has greatly increased
until it has become we'll nigh univer-
sal. School and college athletics
have become necessary. With the
development of our industrial and
commercial life. there are more and
more who are engaged In purely cler-
ical activities. All of this makes 1t
more necessary than ever that we
should stimulate every possible in
terest in out door, health giving
rt creation.
No Compulsion Intended.
II am hopeful that the conference
can coordinate our national re-
sources and opportunities In way
better to serve this purpose. 1t is
by no means intended that there
should be any suggestion of federal
domination Of such activities. Neces-
sarily they are largely local and in
dividual. and to be helpful they must
always be spontaneous. But this con-
fere nee can be Of great aid by making
something of an inventory of our ma
tional resources and opportunities
and determining how these may best
be put to this most desirable use, ana
further. by exchanging ideas, create
new interests and open to view new
| fields.
appropria tfons for laying out spa
cious parks and Fairgrounds. THESE
are providing recreation fields Tor the
playing of outdoor games by both old
and young. Golf courses and tennis
courts abound. Too much emphaSle
cannot he placed on the effort to set
the children out of the alleys and on
where there is good sunlight ana
plenty OF fresh air. Such an oppor:
tunity has both a physical and mental
effect. 1t restores the natural balance
Of life and nourishes the moral fiber
of youth.
Gardening Is Approved.
Another activity which is beins
is necessarily somewhat limited. but
the opportunity for engaging in 1t
has never been anywhere near ex-
hausted. 1t make its appeal alike to
youth and age. 1t is extremely prac-
teal on the one hand. and lends it
self to the artistic on the other.
"A form of recreation not so access
sible to all as many games, but one
which has in it peculiar hold or
that which is elemental in human
cI ~
are true outdoor sports in the highest
sense. and must be pursued in a way
that develops the energy. perseve-
rance, skill and courage of the indi-
vidual. They call for personal direc-
ton, and cannot be taken up vi
cariously. There is a great wealth
OF life and experience in this field
which is never exhausted, but is al.
ways fresh and new. 1t is accom-
panied by traits of character which
make a universal appeal. A knowl-
edge of these arts may well be culti-
waited and cherished like a knowledge
OF the humanities and the sciences.
Around hunting and fishing is ga tn
cred a great wealth OF prose and
poetry. which teStifieS to the enduring
interest which these sports have held
all through the development of the
race.
Exhibition. Games Useful.
"A certain type Of outdoor activity
has been much developed in recent
years and calls great throngs to-
ignated as exhibition games. Under
this heading comes first in impor-
tance base ball. which is often known
as our national game. Foot ball and
polo come in the same class. These
activities require such long and in
tensive training that participation in
them is necessarily confined to a class
and cannot be sadi to be open to the
interest which extends to every age
and every class, for giving an oppor-
tunity for a few hours in the open
air which will provide a change of
scene. a new trend of thought and
the arousing Of new enthusiasms for
the great multitude of our people,
these have no superior.
But it is unnecessary for me 20 do
more than mention a few of the rep
reSentative forms of recreation. We
all know that their name is legion
and that different tastes require diff
ferent activities / am not trying to
recommend one above another, but l
am trying to point out the national
were an organized, instructed and
persistent effort to bring these bene-
fits to the people at large. 1t cannot
be that our counry is making a great
for athletic fields in our colleges. for
ball fields in our cities, for recrea-
tion parks in our metropolitan dis
tricts, for state and national forest
reservations. unless they all repre-
sent an opportunity for a real better
ment of the life of the people. These
are typically. American in all their
different aspects. They minister di-
rectly to the common welfare of our
inhabitants.
Brutal sports Banned.
''CiviliZation is measured in no
small part by these standards The
famous beauty and symmetry Of the
Greek race in it's prime was due in
no small degree to their general par