Show I I II II Athletics In America II Tho The registration committee of tho the Amateur Athletic Union of or the United States reported to lo the annual conven- conven lion of or that body during tho the year I just I closed 2 21 U persons parsons In America j 1 took toole part in athletics in ono one form Corm or 01 another f Even ven this large number was I said to bo be exclusive of or swimmers wrestlers boxers ba basketball pla pIa players er baseball players anti and gymnasts As the lie report further 1 shoved ho that only wore registered for or competition competition compeli- compeli tion in tIe thc Amateur Athletic union meets meets' there may be bo ground for Cor suspicion suspicion suspicion sus sus- of tho ho correctness of tho the total of ot moro 1 than At the tho same fame time It it- Is Isto to be he bored that the contestants in the hl moot meets have havo won their right to compete by L y a II process of elimination In prelim prelim- inary nur trials There are arc many ninny candidates candi candi- dates date for or place and these are arc given tryouts with tho the aim of ot getting the be best t ones to strive for tal tho the banners medals cups an and ribbons which are re awarded as tho the prizes The age uge of oC participation par par- varies widely from tram the tho youth In the tho grammar school to the tho man In middle lo life Uto vho sho keeps up his interest In n athletics from genuine love lovo of oC sport Eon on whon when those conditions conditions' arc borne borno I in mind Hio tho statement of oC totals is astonishing as Counting out hilf tho the population because because be br- cause causo of or sex and antI making allowance for COI forthe forthe the thc boys below tho the grammar school grade grallo a showing of nearly two ant anta and ami anda amia i a half halt millions is Js remarkable When hen those engaged in the tho excepted branches of sport mentioned In the report are url und antI time Iho thousands of oC m men n who are aro athletes for Cor tho the mone money thus tinis to h ho he earn earned ell the already large largo total Is IH swelled to lo a much munch greater Omit figure Ir If WP WI Include the he membership of oC athletic athi- athi leUc letic clubs alt all o l over l' l the tho country and that lar larger Cr of or citizens R once in interested In- In ten crested n na boys hoys In Iii grammar school and anti high school or as students in 10 col- col lege eg hut now retired from Crom actual con Coil tests tho tiun total will he ho heon oven even greater tel Even then It Il will wilb ot not include n many thousands who enjoy athletic sports without having had bad close personal as association association as- as sedation as l participants on track or field Tho Thai eleven on bodies eR which contribute to o the tho Amateur Athletic union report property devoted lo to athletics s valued at 2 Those lI ures also arc open to suspicion because the reported IJ by tho the Central association Includes representing the entire park panic system of oC playgrounds in In- In Chicago With e every er allowance how how- over and anil n adding I the valuations o of oC property used uRet for professional con con- tests testa tho lie amount of oC money Invested In facilities s for or athletic sports is a largo one Tho The Americans cans are an athletic peo pee pIe They do not continue their participation pation in contests into middle life as ns is dono In England but there are re thousands who carr carry into active business busi ness tho the principles of oC health which are arc taught them in gymnasiums nail and on the tho athletic Held fold It is not difficult to mention man ninny many evils o attendant upon un undue undue un- un due interest In tho the subject The opponents opponents opponents op op- op- op of the athletes havo hav- plenty plent of oC argument which have havo weight Tho The meeting of oC the tho Athletic union however how how- I ever has hns given Jf Its friends their chance chanco to show statistics That th these se aro re t So o If surprisingly largo large as to excite much comment no ono one will clen deny If tho the In Interest In- In crest terest In athletics Is producing a n better race of or Americans and a healthier citizenship c ill n as many sincerely b thon there Is al additional ground for Cor over tho the remarkable showIng that has IlaH been made mado f |