New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-22
COLLEGE SPORTS And PUBLIC RIGHTS.

COLLEGE SPORTS And fO6LiC hi'nio'
"a college athletics come more and more into
nonular favor the necessity for more lnteill-
cent and efficient management increases. Not
bet,or management of the rival organizations
ond their champions, but of the important de-
tolls mon which spectators depend for their
ooryen;ence and comfort, and, above all, of
the distribution of tickets. The internal affairs
of the competing mines and teams ana crews
are conducted with much skill ana sagacity.
Notbing is neglected which bears any relation
70 the training, care and equipment OF the men
mon whom each college depends for its su-
Dremacy; and, in general, when the critical
moment arrives they are as well prepared for
if as possible. But when it comes to providing
for the expectant public the system breaks
down almost universally. Spectators OF the
great race at ew-Londop every June are GER
tain in advance that they are going to be sub
iected to manifold discomforts and not little
extortion. The college boat clubs have learned
that these negects and abuses ale the rule, and
have been considering the question of rowing
elsewhere So it is in a less degree with the
decisive baseball games in the spring and early
summer.
In respect to the great football contest OF the
closing year the situation is worst OF all. ms
annual struggle has grown to be by far the
most popular and exciting event IN college
athletics, and second only to the Suburban
Handicap in the whole range OF outdoor sports
Probably not fewer than 1000 persons VIII
be assembled at Eastern Park OH Thanksgiving
Day-or would be present if it had been made
easy instead Of difficult to see the game Much
has been done by its owners to make the iield
itself suitable and attractive, but the sale OF
tickets, upon which the convenience OF spec
tators chiefly depends, seems to have been mis-
managed Thousands of seats are awaiting pur-
chaSers, but not at the appointed agencies
SPECTATORS have obtained possession OF some
of them and are extorting eAtravaSant prices.
The prices were made indefensibly high at the
outset. and these artificial advances are SIMPLY
exaspcrating.
OF course. the football managers at Prince
ton and New-Haven do not officially approve
this state of things. They have nothing to
cain by it. and their loss in popular estimation
il considerable. But it was within their power
through graduates OF the colleges IL not ui-
rectly, to secure an honest and equitaoie us
tribution of the tickets. The pubhc, whlcn
supports the football teams with great enth'si-
assn and puts thousands of dollars annually
into their treasures, is amply entitled to decent
treatment and amply justified in protesting
against treatment which is indecent. we arc
clad to learn that the Mayor of Springfield
where the great game between Harvard and
Yale ia to be played to-day. has brought the
cademic magnates OF Cambridge and New
Haven to terms by refusing to license the game
until reasonable supply OF tickets was pu'
en- sale. We don't accuse the students who
are in control OF college athletics OF deliberate
pu,pose to deceive and cheat the public, al
though too many of them think 1t smart tt
profess indifference TO popular favor and pop
ular support but we do accuse them OF neglec
and Encouragement The various abuses fo
which they arc responsible, and which they
regard with altogether too much complacency
ought to occupy their attention from this time
forward until they are remedied.