MINUTES OF MEETING CONGRESS HOTEL 10:30 A.M. — July 28, 1910 Attended by Mr. W. S. Miller and Mr. Thos. Wainwright of the J. E. Porter Cor- poration, Ottawa, Illinois; Mr. Edward Kolbert of the Narragansett Machine Com— pany, Providence, Rhode Island; Mr. Edw. J. Medart and Mr. R. E. Weinzettel of the Fred Medart Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, Missouri; Dr. Forrest C. Allen, Director of Physical Education, University of Kansas; and Mr. Enno Winius of the Anfenger Advertising Company, St. louis, Missouri. Miss I, M. Fitzpatrick of the Fred Medart Manufacturing Co. served as secretary of the meeting. Mr. Medart explained the purpose of the meeting as an effort to outline a plan for the promotion of the use of gymnasium apparatus in conjunction with the phy- sical education program advocated today for young men and women by the Federal Government. It was emphasized that the manufacturers represented have no trade relations or any arrangement whatsoever so far as the sale of equipment is concerned, but are, naturally, mtually interested in reviving the use of gymnasium apparatus in schools, armories, etc., particularly since this would help materially in pro- moting the physical fitness of the youth of the country. The Senate bill proposed by Dr. Rogers of Boston University, to be presented by Senator Walsh, No. S179, was read by Mr. Kolbert. This bill, advocating the es~ tablishment of a National Physical Fitness Institute to be headed by a Director appointed by the President, with the approval of the Senate, was discussed at some length and it was the concensus of opinion that an effort should be made im- mediately to incorporate in it, before it is discussed in the Senate Committee, a specific appropriation of funds for the purchase of equipment to carry out the physical education program suggested, Dr. Allen discussed the trend away from physical education in schools and col- leges in recent years and attributed this to the fact that it is laregly an elective subject rather than compulsory. As a consequence, only those students who are naturally athletic are interested and the larger number, in greater need of physical training, do not receive it. The popularity of games such as basket—- ball, football, etc. and the importance attached to them by various schools was also held responsible. | The names of various men favorable to the promotion of physical education by the use of gymnasium apparatus were suggested by Dr. Allen, these including Major Griffith, Nelson Metcalf of Chicago University, Dudley DeGrew of Rochester Uni- versity, Clark Shaughnessy of Stamford University, Dr. Lee Stafford of Univer- sity of Illinois, and J. B. Nash of New York University. Dr. Allen suggested that the individual selected to sponsor our cause should be a nationally recognized physical educator, energetic, and preferably a member of the American Legion. Means of raising funds for the promotion of a campaign were discussed, such as by interesting wealthy, philanthropic persons and by popular subscription, but it was felt that the interest of the people in the need for physical education was sufficiently aroused to warrant an appropriation of funds by the Federal Government to assist schools, armories, etc., in the purchase of necessary equipment.