April 27, 1946

Mire Willard B. Givens, Gxeoutive $ |

Netioneal Sducation Association of the United Stated
1201 Sixteenth Street, Neile

Washington 6, De Co

Dear Mr. Givens,

The attractive Seichaive BDUCATION «= a mi force
has been on my desk for sone tine and finally T have completed
vending it between patients.

It seemed to me to be well written on a high-priority
subject and filled with incoutrovertible facts, but when I came
to page 5 I wondered whether the analysis of education and its
needs should not start et home. I refer to the still-perpetuated
ides that physical education has anything to do with the avoidance
of physical defectsa@vhich result in selective service rejeotion.
Analysis of the s06 of selective service rejection reveal that
less than &% of the rejectees may have been improved by physical
educations On the other hand, probably (I say probably because
the complete breakdown of causes of rejections is not, so far as
I ean determine, available for public use) more than 2% have been
rejeeted because of disabilities incurred in physice] education
activities, including competitive sports. In proof of this,
witness the makeeup of the present day oollege competition :
athletic teams »

Do not misunderstand mes physical education is importent.
But it is only one small, one lessor oog in the problem of good
health and physical fitness, Basically the needs are, after healthy
parentage, adequate food, decent living conditions, health education,
therapeutic and prophylectic medical and dental care, aad physical
edueetion as a means of improving physical skills end recreations

 

The National Education Association is in a position to
understand end lead in this health program, but it has oe
stressed the Buropean school of thought: health h physical
education. That is not the anewer. It may heve countries

Le where there was no more to offer; but it is not the solution hore.

; gent ad ayn ee sinoerely,

mea eal. oar a
me Ae oe pon oe