Show nation imperiled by its low standard of physical efficiency I 1 by representative HORATIO C CLAYPOOL of ohio my mind has been deeply impressed for a long iona time by the necessity for some governmental action designed to enciu encourage rae ra 0 e and establish the practice of physical culture amon among the citizenship of this country the appalling condition disclosed by the recent physical examinations of the young youna 0 men of our nation before the exemption boards has sent a thrill of alarm and a sense of profound concern into the heart of every thinking inking th and 16 loyal al citizen the il question estion naturally arises within the mind of every serious serious man what practical thing can be done to decrease the percentage of physical and raise the standard of physical efficiency among the men of our nation there is overwhelming evidence that the people of this nation are living in profound ignorance of the vital and imperative necessia necessity essit y of training their bodies with the same care and thoroughness as they do their minds cram the mind though the body be crippled J Is has been the abiding practice of our people so long that when the hour of great necessity arises when the moment of peril is upon us and the things that are more priceless to us than our lives are in jeopardy and the cry of a ruthless enemy is heard at our gates and the nation turns with confidence to the surging millions of its citizens for defenders an amazing 0 host is found nervous timid uncertain doubtful hesitant and with waning and depleted vitality well might we hang bang 0 our beads in at the exhibition and doubly so EO because in all the wonderful achievements of this peerless peer es 9 nation it has neglected the apparent and imperative duty of training its citizenship in the necessity of physical culture it is easy for a healthy man to be courageous hopeful optimistic and enthusiastic and it is easy for a sick man to be a coward if the resplendent glory of this nation is to remain unsullied it will be because of the devotion courage resourcefulness and physical vigor of its cit citizens eizens |