cally fit Bopulgetont oe the last. twenty yeors. They have fumbled the ball!
Be young men. that are coming ge the army are way below standard physically.|
I make Sheee charges on the basis of objective evidence and a considerable
amount of observation.

[First my observat#on is one of comparison-—comparison with the physigal
condition developed by our enemies, It was my bakes ze to be in Dernany during
»/:h038,. Tho physiques, the vigor, and the general appearance of ehywscal: To eARSes
Of. all German vouths was anazing. I'm not satobethe 4 to the athletes, but to all
.1 the young men we sew throughout Germany, both in uniform and out of vastors|

-,Hitler,:in.Mein Kampf, emphasized the absolute importance of building a physically

o> Bbrong; rugged youth as a foundation for a. strong state. Ho accomplished this

  

no objective.®. The contrast of the general run of our school youth with those of
Germany .is distressing, to say the least.

‘[Secona, I have seen thousands of recruits in Air Force recruit Setvi during
the last nine months. The general physical condition, the muscular development
- and the -performance ability of these young men is nothing that we, in physical

‘education, can be proud of. Before we discuss this matter of physical fitness,

- or physical condition, any further, let's determine what we mean by the Seti

Es

You have read many statements, pro and con, during the last few months about
.. the draft results, the number of rejections, and the physical fitness of oats Amer-
“teen youth. That tern physical fitness neods Gharification. It seems to me that
there has bedn a great deal of Togey thinking by. both physical odueators sill lay-
en (1). in Anterpreting the draft rejections (for vhysical disabititios), (2) in
understanding what may bo meant by the term "physical fitness", and (3) | in what
— physicel cducation may do bo. improve whet Jcind of physical fitness. |

Physical cducation received. a great boost as a result of. the draft in 1917-.

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