Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18

remarkably good health largely to his regular
habits and regular exercise In the open.
THE tennis courts on the White House
grounds which had not been in since
the death of Calvin Coolidge, jr., again became
popular shortly after the inauguration Of the
new administration Secretary of State Henry
L. Stimson Is one of the leaders OF this sport
in the cabinet. He not only enjoys the game
itself immensely but realizes that this form
of outdoor exercise helps keep him in good
physical trim for his arduouS duties as head
of the State Department.
Behind many Of the humorous, even ridlc-
ulous incidents which can be told without
number concerning official Washngton's fight
to keep fit lies one Of the most serious prob
lens facing the Government and those high in
official life It is a we'll known fact that most
Presidents leave Office broken in health. Many
of them do not long survive retirement. Each
wear death takes a heavy toll OF Representa-
tives, Senator'S heads of departments and others
whose heavy responsibilities, together with the
limited time they have for exercise and for
getting out in the open to absorb the healtn-
giving rays of the sun, wear down their
resistance
livery Congress since l909-Which is as far
- back as the record goes-has lost by death
from 10 to Is members. The average NUMBER
of deaths per Congress is 90 But this startling
as il is does not tell the whole story. There are
no congressional health records and therefore,
no ways of measuring their general health as
compared to that of the average citizen. Recent
interviews, however, with numerous washington
doctors whose patients include members OF
Congress elected from them the statement that
members of Congress are an exceedingly I'M
healthy group"
Explaining this, several doctors pointed out
that most congressman come from rural Sec
tions or relatively small cities, where they are
used to abundant exercise and sunshine. OH
cial life in Washington necessitates change
in living. Instead of being out in the sunshine
every day, they are in stuffy committee rooms
mr. in congressional sessions Even when going
from their Offices to the Capitol they are not
exposed to the suns rays, for most members
use a subterranean passage which connects
the Capitol with the House and Senate once
Buildings. At night social functions-many
of which they must attend whether they WISH
TO or not-place still another drain on their
energy This Softening process and sun
starvation wear down their resistance to dis
ease, with the result that they frequently
succumb to attacks they otherwise would easily
overcome.
1t is only in the last few years that the
problem has been Squarely faced, and steps,
both official and unofficial, have been taken
to guard their health. special Ventllatlng
system has been installed in the House and
one will be in operation in the Senate when
the next Congress meets Humorous but
nevertheless true is ii that before the House
ventilating system was in operation the All
was so bad that one member suggested IN all
seriousness that formaldehyde be placed In
the ventilating pipes as deodorant
Senator Copeland, who has led hve-yeal
fight to remodel the Senate chamber said re-
Gently that it reminded him of thermo'
bottle IF the Senate ROOM he added were
in New York City, it would be condemned
and padlocked. When 1 came here j wa:
shocked at the unhygienic conditions"
Copyright 1929