The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-04-03
By ANTHONY F. KARNEs

What snail it profit man if he gains material success, but loses happiness? Have Americans no tal- ent for the fine art of having a good time out of their own resources?
 For travel amusement. and all leisure hobbies. the American peo- pie spend in the neighboriood of $10,000000,000 per year. This figure includes the purchase Of pleasure cars. Are we spending this money wisely and well? Are we getting our moneys worth?
 Probably we are not Leisure is comparatively new icy for most of us. It is not strange that we have rushed about widely not know ing just how to handle it. Many a business man, upon reaching retire ment age, has had no interests to occupy his mind and time. Be it said on our behalf as a people, how ever, that we have been improving in using leisure.
 In tcdays schools we are slowly working out sports programs which serve the entire group of students, so that all may have a share in playing games. That is good, but the role of spectator has it's points, tee. There is actually an art in be- ing good tennis, baseball, football. hockey, or baseball fan. Recrea- = tional training should also include walking, camping, swimming, danc- ing, skating, and different kinds of manual and creative arts. School plays and debating societies may point the way to enjoyment in later years of little threatre groups or the pleasure and profit of attending good plays and the opera Musicologists have told US that there is no na- tion so unsteady -literate as Amer ica. Our countrymen in cabins and mansions have always wanted to play instruments sing songs, and dance. All these possibilities should be encouraged by the schools. Glee Club work, community song fests. orchestras, and bands all have their roles
 Painting, sketching, photography sculpture, craft work in which in dividual artistic expression is pos sible may be taught to help Amer jeans enrich the leisure hours.
 Reading for pleasure and profit is natural outcome of school guid- ance.
 Travel may be made more satis- flying when done to see with ones own eyes scenes of historical and geographical interest. Ex-students of our schools and colleges should ever be the inquiring reporters, the -at-large
 Beauty is one of the great desires of the human heart Even young children respond to beauty in color, rhythm, harmony, and form A bright toy is treasured above a dingy one. A cube, a ball, or a wheel seems to contain in it's very contour elements of form which bring forth the approval and de- light of children.
 We hunger for beauty throughout our lives. Our schools, by develop ment of the recreational arts, will aid US to appreciate the delicate colorings of fine paintings, the bal anced masses of sculpture, the strength and lightness of noble ar chitecture, the rhythm, harmony and melody of poetry and music.
 It is a sad fact that the home life of many school children is lived in mean and sordid conditions. The schools must try to see that the stars are not completely shut out above their heads.
 Evenually these children will spend their portions of the $10,000,- 100000 per year, now devoted to recreation. Prosperity means some thing more than good food, ser vice, and the ability to take taxi cabs wherever we may be going. It means spiritual well-being and happiness. That is why the schools Of today should endeavor to guide men and women of tomorrow in get