Man Hunting: The Greatest Sport
Man Hunting
The Greatest Sport
By Thomas Dreier
Chairman New Hampshire State Development Commission
An explorer told me one time that the greatest sport in the world is man-hunting. "There are thrills," he said, "in hunting big game, such as lions, tigers, wild boars and elephants. But for what may be called a great thrill there is nothing like the sport of hunting a man. That is a game that calls forth all the skill one has."
Some of us here in New Hampshire are engaged in man-hunting and we find it great fun. We are not looking for people whom we wish to injure or capture against their will. We are seeking men and women who will join us in the thrilling work of state development.
We have a state department called The New Hampshire State Development Commission. That organization concerns itself with the economic and cultural development of the state. Anything that will enrich the lives of the people of New Hampshire is its business.
The ideal of the leaders is to help create a state in which every on of the 465,000 citizens or shareholders will be well-fed, well-clothed, well-housed and well-educated. That, of course, is an ideal impossible of complete materialization. But those who hold it know that with such an ideal before them as they continue their work, there will be fewer men, women and children in the state who are ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed and ill-educated.
It is of first importance to see that a solid economic foundation is placed under all families. There must be economic security for homes. There must be no unemployed. Three great fields must be developed to provide economic rewards. These are agriculture, industry and recreation. Surely any man with ability, initiative, eagerness to serve, and good health can find something to do in these three departments that will keep him busy as long as he lives.
Upon the economic foundation must be raised the cultural superstructure, so there are opportunities for educators, artists, musicians, sculptors, craftsmen of all kinds, gardeners, forsesters — for all men and women who love to express themselves in the creation of beauty.
The members of the Development Commission have little money with which to work and they have none of that authority which commands. Their authority is the kind that persuades. Their task is to create, assemble and distribute ideas that will enrich the lives of people—to bring together men and women who have something in common, to inspire and encourage, to provide leadership which will keep the ideal of the commission ever before the citizens.
Here are some specific tasks that interest many: town planning and zoning, roadside development and beautification, adult education, the development of smaller industries in the towns and villages, the teaching of local arts and crafts and the marketing of the products of these workers, the opening up of more ski, horseback and tramping trails through the forests, the establishment of greater recreational facilities, the purifying and stocking of streams, the organizing of those who want to express themselves through music, art or literature — there is no limit to the work that needs to be done.
Many men who are now living in cities and are engaged in business write and ask us what they can possibly do to keep busy, should they follow their inclinations and move to the country. They do not want to vegetate. There is no reason why they should, if they really have something to give and want to give it.
No one is asked to take part in this development work as a duty. Those who enlist do so because of the joy they find in it. People who love the same things are grouped together and they have a glorious time in friendly contact. There is something delightfully intimate about it all. New friendships are formed. There is little chance to be lonesome. Life becomes richer and more colorful. Old age is held at bay.
Wise men know that they continue to grow only as they continue to give.
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