New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-31
UNFIT FOR COLLEGE rSE."
PRESIDENT ELIOT SAYS PUBLIC OPINION HAS
DRAGGED FOOTBALL TO THE LEVEL
ot- THE ppIZr-FIGIT
or THE PRIZEFIGHT.

or THE PRIZEFIGHT.
Cambridge. Mass. Jan. 3o.-In his report upon
Harvard University for the academic year lsS-ls9i
President Eliot says that the year has wrought only
favorable change in the conduct of athletic
sports The men who took part in the highly COM
petitve sports were not this year brought 10 the
principal contests in the state bordering on ex-
haustion in which they them in former
years He says further:
The evils OF the intercollegiate sports as described
on; real redress diminuiion. In particular. the
game of football grows worse and worse as regards
Of the injuries which the players suffer. |; has be;
come perfectly Gear that the game as now played
at present such as TO inevitably large num-
Der of broken bones sprains and wrenenes, even eyer
and they also permit those who pay Win reckless
violence or with shrewd violations OF the ru.es 10
What is called the development OF the game has
steadily increased its risks until they have become
in the sincerity Of the proessed desire OF coaches
captains and promoters to reform IT,
II should be distinctly understood. however that
the players themselves have little real respons!piy
for the evils of the game. They are swayed by
tyrannica public opnion-part.y ignorant and
partly barbarous-to the formation OF which gradu-
ates and undergraduates fathers mothers ana SIS, SIS
ters leaders OF society. and the ver!est gamblers
and rowdies all contribute. 49,,
fought Rs s foosba al I match 81 a, or
Philadelphia cannot but suggest Iue,S now bSor ,ai
which enjoy the przensht, cockfgh or bullhgnt or
which In other centuries Delighted IN the SPOTS "
the Roman arena Several fata! accidents have nap
pened this year TO schoo.boys and college students
on the football fed and in every strenuous game
now played. whether for practice or IN an INTERIOR
.egate other competition there Is the eVerpreseht
liability to death on the field.
1t is often said that by employing more men 70
watch the Players, with authority to ruhsn m
stantiy infract.ons OF the rules. foul ana vicious
playing could be stopped. The sufficient answer 20
this suggestion is thai game which needs 70 De
SO watched is not ~ for genuine sportsmen. More
over experience indicates that ii would be hard to
find trustworthy watchers.
Extravagant expenditure for the teams through
ont the season and by the spectators al the pTln-
cipal games continues to disgust the advocates OF
simple and rational manly sports.
President Eliot however. draws attention to the
fact that much wholesome physical! exercise Is taken
and much genuine athletic sport enjoyed In the uni
versity 1.-The athletic sports and exercises which
commend themselves 10 sensible teachers and pa
rents" he says. ARE those which can be used mod
eratey and steadily. and which remain available In
some measure In mature life"
With reference to Radcliffe College. the report
p,anly indicates that the direct Influence OF Har
ward University the education OF women Is TO
be extended through separate corporation, having
invested property and an establishment OF It's own.