The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-15
'. This Sporting
 World
Mondoy Sports Wosh
(International)
By JOHN A. CLUNEY

@VgtS hVW aHu bkASRk, VkASEV VVHAVB from Chicago q letter signed by Theodore P, Bank, president of the Athletic Institute, Q nonsprofit or. ganiyation devoted to keeping flt" through the medium of athletics and recreation, Its slogan s: sports and recreation for 6 stronger, healthier America. His last com. fnunique, as ! recall, was Q HUM. DrNQER. having Co do with the physical and mental rebuilding of war veterans, very few of whom were physically fit for war in the first place, and most Of whom COULD NOT SWIM,
 More recently, Col. Bank writes of sports in relation to JUVENILE DELINQUENCY the number one priority problem In the U. 8. A. for tho past ten years, Read Q few of his quotes, if you will, They might give you an Idea, or do some kid some good,
 Under the suggestion; Let's fight Juvenile Delinquency W l T II SPoRTSl" he writes
 There can Do little question, how. ever, that because the success of city and town plans rests almost wholly upon community initiative, the community organization of 6 sports program can be directed also toward solution of local juvenile do" linquency problems,
 What Hs Juvenile Delinquency?
 Delinquency in the hebavior of ins dividuals is of many klns, but as tho U, s. Department of Labor points out In It's ChildFen'S Bureau Publication 800, entitled Understand. Ing Juvenile Delinquency "The de- iinquents who challenge our think ing most arc, those children who res fuse or are unable, for one reason or another to conform to Society'S demands"
 The anSwer, the Bureau says is. ''ThOy must learn to F0pFesB iFns pulses that are socially disapproved. They must be taught to behave according to prescribed convention"
 The Chiidren's Bureau shows that the family influence must necessars fly Do the greatest force in Clvilising the ehild-but community infius enees, such as recreational facilities and constructive reereatlonai pro- grams.
 The Influence Of Sports
 On school and public playing fields competent leadership brings youngs sters, in the most natural and ats tTactive way, under tho influence Of discipline and divertS their excess energies into character building aes tivitieS, Along with improved cons ditions In the home, it has been proven that competitive sports can Interest youngsters in developing mental and physical skiliS, can in. sMli h them the principles Of selss control, courage, cooperation and fair play.
 Tn large cities, games organized In the streets, must often be broken tip by police for the sake of the younesters' safety. Unless other playing fields or piaygrounds arc conveniently provided, the groups will meet on street corners or h vas cant buildings and plan activities that may lead to crime.
 Police, judges of juvenile courts and many social workers directly concerned in improving these cons ditonS agree that the provision Of adequate facilities :or sports and the organization Of athletic clubs and programs produce definite res suits in the control Of juvenile de- ilnquency.
 J. Edgar Hoover, Chief Of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation, states, "The importance Of piay- grounds and sports activities in dis vertlng youths attention from the unhealthy bypaths Of crime to the ways of good, Gisan living ts5 b56H proved time and time again."