Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 229, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1916 — Men of Sacramento Organize a Barefoot League [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Men of Sacramento Organize a Barefoot League

SACRAMENTO, CAL—Harkening back to the days when man roamed carelessly across- green pastures, unshackled by costly footwear, when cool, solid comfort met the naked foot at every step. and when corns and bunions

were unheard of, four prominent Sacramentans have formed what is . known as the Sacramento Barefoot league. There are four charter members of the league, and they are Dr. Robert E. Smith, James McCollough, L. O. Lumry and Steve Downey, The league was organized in quite an unintentional way. Which of the four was the originator is not known. But it is intimated that Doctor Smith, for several years advocate of the

Coatless Summer League for Men, had something to do with it. The requirements of the league are these: No member must be too modest to display his bare feet. He must be without pedal covering in attending meetings. He must be willing to do. and enjoy, walking on his lawn before the assembled multitude, including his wife, unshod. He must be willing to "step into his neighbor’s house in his bare feet and walk across his neighbor’s hardwood floors as nonchalantly as though he were Pithecantropus in the jungles. • Several meetings of the league have been held at the homes of the charter members. The meetings are preceded by a walk upon the lawn of the host. As the evening becomes cool the members retire to the host’s drawing room and are entertained with phonograph selections. Despite serious objection to the league on the part of the better halves in some of the homes, the organization has grown and is now reaching out for congenial spirits. “Keep cool and comfortable and cure your corns” is the slogan of the league.