GERMANY'S STRONG M.P.

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 19

GERMANY'S STRONG M.P.

HOW LEGISLATORS KEEP FIT

Who is the strongest M.P. in the House of Commons? Englishmen would probably find it difficult to givo a definite answer to this question (writes the Berlin correspondent of the '.'Daily Express")- Any German, however, could give you the name .of .'the Beichstag's strongest man.

He is Herr Leow, Communist stalwart, whose muscles have been officialiy tested by the multitude of strengthtesting appliances placed at the special disposal of Germany's athletic M.P.'s m one of the large halls in the- basement of the great Reichstag- building. Here there is a great gymnasium, the most notable feature of which is a magnificent gallery of leather punching balls on which M.P.'s, angered by the obtuseness and obstinacy of their opponents, can vent their spleen to their hearts' content.

Thei-o is also an electric horse . and more formidable still, an electric camel, both of them capable of putting their important riders through torturing minutes of anguish and perspiration. - . .

Dr. Wirth, a farmer Chancellor, and now Minister of the Occupied Territories, is known to.be fond of taking a little exercise in the Beichstag rowing machine before ho goes into the House. Other M.P.'s, the women as well as the men,, keep themselves fit by.climbing - ladders and swinging on parallel bars, while yet others use dumb-bells and weights. ■

The brawny Herr Leow loves'to excite the awed admiration of his political opponents doing their daily dozen by lifting and balancing the great bar with a 501b weight attached to either end. It is said ho wields it with as much ease and grace as a. star circus performer. ....

An electrical massage apparatus is much appreciated by the members, all of whom wish to cut a good figure before their constituents. Everything, in fact, is provided which can possibly further the strength and beauty of Germany's rulers.

There are even four bath tubs in the gymnasium.