RICH SOIL REASON OHIO PRODUCES PRESIDENTS
New Haven, Connecticut (JFK+50) A New York Tribune front-page story dated April 10, 1921, states "the reason that so many Presidents came from Ohio*...is declared by Eugene A. Crilly...to be due to the fact that...mid-Western soil contains the elements that build brain."
The Litchfield chemist also argues that "the soil of Eastern states have become impoverished." He concludes that "the location of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential center in Ohio and Indiana" provide "proof that the soils of those agricultural states are turning out superior intellectual material."
Dr. Crilley, reported by the New York Times a few days later, also says that "if the athletes now in training for Yale teams could be fed the proper legumes, there is no doubt that Yale would regain 'her athletic supremacy."
*Presidents from Ohio include Grant, Hayes, Garfield, B. Harrison, McKinley, Taft & Harding. W.H. Harrison lived in Ohio at the time of his election. Virginia soil must really be rich as she has produced the most Presidents (8).
JFK+50 COMMENT
Our Tennessee Volunteer football program has fallen from 'athletic supremacy' in the past few years. After reading Dr. Crilley's arguments, I am recommending that our student athletes 'be fed the proper legumes' and I feel certain the Vols will soon be back on top.
SOURCES
"Chemist Says Rich Ohio Soil Makes Presidents," The New York Tribune, April 11, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Vitamines For Yale," The New York Times, April 13, 1921.
