To the 45th National Convention of the American Turners Greetings:
The National Committee on Health and Physical Education met with the following members present: Robert
J.
Pritchard', D. W. Danti, Dom. Morell, Geo. Howe, Fred Schenley, Joe Weissmueller, Bob Stahl, George L. Cheston, Andy Lascari, William Kesper, Edward Privitzer, A. J. Schmid, R. E. Bond, R. E. King, Harry Grabner, Otto Eckl, Dave Henschen, Leonard Hadde, Benjamin Kohn, Albert L. Jones, Kenneth Adler, Charles F. Miller, James Szilagyi, Harry Warnken, Otto A. Jessen, Henry F. Krambeck, Robert A.Nieman, H. C. Hohman, Andrew J. Doyle, Henry Schroeder was named Chair- man, Harry Warnken, Co-Chairman and Bill Klier, Secretary.
The Committee wishes to submit the following resolutions:
1. That there be three ( 3) grades of difficulty for Ladies Apparatus Work at future National Festivals.
2. That the National Health and Physical Education Committee consider the compilation of a pamphlet or directory setting forth desirable teaching methods and valuable experience and tests for the use of instructors in Health and Physical Education in ordei· to aid instructors in the Turner Societies.
3. That a work plan for National Festivals be arranged so as to permit par- ticipation in both Physical and Cultural events.
4. That Instructors be accorded. a voice and vote m Committee at National Conventions.
The following resolutions were referred to the National Committee on Health and Physical Education for further action:
A. That the Senior Men's age group in competition at National Festivals be revised as follows:
30 to 39 years of age 40 to 49 years of age 50 to 59 years of age 6 0 years and over
and that the same age group be applied to Senior Women's Competition.
B. That the National Health and Physical Education Committee establish a forfeit fee for the entries in National Championships to accompany each entry blank, such fee to be refunded if the team participates or proves ex- tenuating circumstances.
C. That Senior Ladies' events in Track, Field and Apparatus, be changed to activities suitable to their particular age group.
D. That the Committee on Health and Physical Education consider the feasi- - 45 -
bility of republishing this pamphlet ("A Guide to Officials and Com- petitors").
E. That the letter of application from the Adams Turners for the National Basketball Championships for 195 5 be placed on file for consideration by the Committee on Health and Physical Education.
This Committee wishes to further submit the following resolutions:
5. That the National Committee on Health and Physical Education be author- ized to make necessary changes in National Festival rules suitable for the Milwaukee Festival in 19 5 5.
6. That the National Council retain Turner George Cheston as Chairman of the National Health and Physical Education Committee.
7. That the National Committee on Health and Physical Education recom- mend to the next National Convention that twenty-five cents (.25) of national per capita tax, set aside for financing the operation of the National Health and Physical Education Activities, be used solely for National Festivals.
8. The Committee on Health and Physical Education recommends that the National Council consider the feasibility of bringing the West German Gym T earn to this country in 19 5 5 •
Respectfully submitted with Turner Greetings:
Henry Schroeder, Chairman Harry Warnken, Co-Chairman
Bill Klier, Secretary
Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 were adopted in succession, by voice vote, after regular motion and second.
Paragraph 4 was ruled out of order by the Chair. The ruling was accepted by the Committee.
Paragraphs "A" through "E" were adopted in succession, by voice vote after being duly moved and seconded.
Paragraph 5 passed by voice vote after regular motion and second.
Paragraph 6 was ruled out of order by the Chair as being a proper duty of the Nomination Committee.
Paragraph 7, after a long discussion, was defeated by the Convention after proper motion and second.
Paragraph 8 was adopted by voice vote after proper Convention action.
A minority report from the Convention Committee on Health and Physical Education was presented by Turner Kenneth Adler of the Lake Erie District as follows:
To the 45th National Convention of the American Turners Greetings:
The undersigned member of the Committee on Health and Physical Educa- tion respectfully submits the following recommendation as a minority report:
We recommend that, in view of the large interest shown in the 1954 Turner National Vrolleyball Championships, a National Volleyball championship tournament be conducted in 195 5 in connection, but not in conflict, with the National Festival of the American Turners, to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The undersigned respectfully solicits the approval of the above recom- mendation.
With Turner Greetings, Kenneth Adler,
Delegate, Lake Erie District It was duly moved and seconded to adopt the minority report. Motion defeated.
Vice-Chairman Eisele then read a resolution to send a telegram to Turner Schiget. It was duly moved and seconded to send a telegram hoping for a speedy recovery. Motion carried.
Convention Secretary's Note: The following telegram was sent to Turner Schiget immediately after .the session:
Mr. Henry J. Schiget, 3 5 17 A North 18th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
August 23, 1954
The following resolution was unanimously adopted at the Cleveland Convention: Be it resolved that we delegates and officers of the Forty-fifth National Convention of the American Turners in session at Cleveland having learned of the recent accident in which Turner Schiget was injured, do here in assembly voice our concern and extend our wishes that his injuries be quickly healed and that he with Mrs. Schiget be spared in good health to our Turner program for m;my years.
William 0. Huth, Convention Secretary.
Chairman Jacquin then announced that the next order of business at the Convention came. under the head of unfinished business.
National Secretary Eklund read the following deferred actions from the 44th Convention:
1. Southern California District-Oakland, Turneverin.
Regional Councilor Otto Nell reported that this society has a Singing Sec- tion and 6 or 7 Actives. They have asked for help from the District by having their District dues deferred. He recommends that the Society not be expelled.
Motion to defer action for another two years was seconded and carried.
2. New England District-Meriden Turner Society, Inc.
Regional Councilor Miller recommended expulsion. Motion made, seconded, and carried to drop Meriden from the rolls of the American Turners.
3. New Jersey District-American Gymnastic Society, Inc.
Elizabeth Turnverein, Paterson Turnverein.
Regional Councilor Stahl reported that Paterson Turnverein had resigned from the American Turners and that the American Gymnastic Society and the Elizabeth Turnverein were hopeless cases and should be dropped. It was regularly moved and seconded that these two societies be dropped from the rolls of the American Turners. Motion carried by voice vote.
Turner Eklund reported that the McKeesport Turners were now paying the per capita tax for Turner Topics.
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Turner Wahnsiedler was asked to report on the situation at the Evansville, Indiana Society. He reports that they still are paying per capita tax on only part of their membership. ( 5 34 members.) He hopes to make progress in this matter. Possible tax exemption due to membership in the American Turners may be wedge needed to show the governing group of this Society the wisdom of paying per capita tax on all members. After discussion by several other members, a motion was made, seconded, and passed by voice vote to defer action ~n the Central Turners, Inc .. of Evansvme, Ind. for two yeai:s.
Chairman Jacquin then declared the Convention open .for new business.
National Secretary Eklund read the following recommendations from the National Council:
1. The Council recommends that the South Side Turners of Omaha, Nebraska be dropped from the rolls of the American Turners. A motion ·was duly made and seconded to adopt this recommendation. Motion carried by voice vote.
2. The Council recommends dropping the Pawtucket Turners of the New England District. from the rolls of. the American Turners. Turner Miller, Councilor from Region I, explained that this Society had merged with the Providence. Turners. "M,oved, .seconded, and carried by voice vote to adopt.
3; The Council recommends that ·the National Offices remain in Detroit . . Moved, seconded, and carried by voice vote to adopt.
A resolution was presented by Turner Dean Smith of the Lake Erie District as follows:
FOR THE GOOD AND WELFARE:
In order to promote 'new Turner Societies and revive old Societies, it is recommended that direct action be taken by this Convention as follows:
1. That the National Council be directed to engage one or more qualified persons on a full time basis to promote the formation of new Societies and the reviving of Turner activities in all soci~ties.
2. That this Convention authorize the raising of a sum of money equal to
$2.00 per memb~r per year for the next two years and that all details and method of raising this money be the responsibility of the National Council.
3. All monies raised for this purpo~e shall be paid to the National Treasurer and shall be expended on promotional activities under the direction of the National Council.
J:?ean Smith,
American Turners, Detroit.
A motion was duly made and seconded to refer this resolution to the Na- tional Council. Motion carried by voice vote.
A motion was regularly made and seconded that· the Gonvention take up the letters from Past President Weideman which were distributed to the dele- gates earlier in the Convention. Motion defeated by voice vote·.
Turner Kopp of the Madison Turners delivered a personal invitation to President Kierschner to attend their 1 OOth anniversary celebration, on February 26, 1955 and also invited all delegates to attend.
Turner Niemann of the Madison Turners made a plea for all Societies and Turners to work harder to promote Turner activities.
A motion to thank the American Turners S.T.V., their officers and the
Convention Committee for the splendid arrangements and facilities which they had provided for the convenience and entertainment of the delegates was seconded and enthusiastically carried.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn this Session, to reconvene at 2:30 P.M. Motion carried. Session adjourned at 1:00 P.M.
FIFTH SESSION