Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-29
Bic Man Beats Mighty Little Lougun Wins Decision Oer Walker
Women in Sport ss; :;

T was alleged by a critic of girls
athletic activities in the local
schools, at recent citizens asso-
L citation meeting, that rifle is use
less sport for the fair sex, one that
eats up the taxpayers money unneces-
sarily and teaches the girls in our
schools nothing but a means of killing
their husbands" Yes a grown-up man
stood before an intelligent audience and
said just that. He would wager. he
adde, however, that not one of these
girls (the rifle experts) could cook a
decent meal, make a dress or care for
child.
Our critic sees only the physical skill
developed on the range-the ability to
hit the black spot in the inner ring.
He attaches to that distorted i'm
portance. He fails to see that range
to think quickly and see accurately;
steady nerves. self-confidence and,
above all, patience-all invaluable as
sets to the home maker.
This accomplishment, to his mind,
does not teach girl to make COM
Portable home for her possible husband
and children, nor does it give her prac-
tice in the gentle art of bread making.
Therefore. it Is useless. But is the
mechanical operation of bread making,
sewing and interior decorating the es-
sential thing in home building?
What mother Is not faced with q
thousand little problems every year of
her life which require infinite patience.
keen mind and, above all, steady
nerves to meet and solve satisfactorily?
Upon her skill in meeting these, too,
may depend the character of her home,
which, after all, is much more than
four walls, few draperies and home
made bread!
And a little of all of these things
mentioned, combined with a sense OF
good craftsmanship. which also is de-
veloped to high degree in this sport
as in others, helps out quite bit In the
business of making ones self suit
able companion in the partnership OF
marriage, II that Is to be girls lot,
and in whatever other partnership she
may assume, II that is not.
Little enough time and thought Is
given to training our girls to meet the
duties and, what Is more important, the
problems of their most important bust
ness of life. although every other sort
of career in the world now is given a
place in the curriculum of our schools
and colleges. For goodness sake, don't
leJ ) TAKE away AlOtil tliClu Vic ASW
things which may help them to handle
situations and develop in them the
ability to meet a crisis. be it big or
small, with self-reliance and sporting
spirit. It's easy enough for a girl or
boy to learn to meet the everyday af-
fairs of life, but it's their ability to
overcome the unexpected trials that
marks their grade in the final account
ing of success or failure
Books train the mind for mechanical
professional or literary duties, but 1t
is on the tennis court, base ball field
and rifle range that the youngstcr
learns lessons of equal if not greater
value in preparing for this business of
life. Don't make the mistake Of look
ing upon any sport as mere recrea-
ton. The school sports is one of the
greatest schools of character develop
ment in the field Of education. And
rifle. for both girls and boys, stands at
the top of the list of character develop
ing activities.
So far as the taxpayers money /: