The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-29
STILL AT 1T.
whitney Causes Much neasiness-A New
Football Mnn In Town.

footDall man IN IoWn.
Percy Benson, the California football
player, has arrived in Butte and ex-
poets to become n permanent resident
OF the greatest mining camp on earth
and try for a position on the Butte
team. Benson was captain of the
Berkeley team for three years and is
considered one of the best quarter
backs on the coast.
Manager Mcmillan has not as yet re-
ceived any reply to the urgent invita-
ton he sent to Caspar Whitney to visit
Butte on his trip east Mr.. Whitney is
still in San Francisco and continues to
create a great deal of discussion In ath-
letic circles.
The San Francisco Examiner says:
Caspar Whitney may find in the
stenographic reports of the work of
the investigating committee of the Pa
cific Athletic association. which have
been sent to him, evidence to substan-
tiate some of the charges which he
made through Harper's Weekly. con-
corning tendency to professionalism
in the methods of the Olympic and Re-
lance clubs. The committee has
about concluded its labors and will to-
morrow evening hold its last import
ant meeting, to which Mr. Whitney
has been invited. The committee has
found that men in the football teams
have in some cases not even been
members of the clubs they represent.
and i'm other cases that men have been
elected members of the club with dues
and Initiation fees RENTED
John Elliott is one of the members of
the investigating committee which was
appointed to look into the charges
made by Mr.. Whitney. He is a mem
Der of the Olympic club. has been its
captain of outside sports, and was for
ITarN AZ rl..G.
the Pacific Athletic association and
has long been known as a bitter op-
ponent of anything that smacks of pro-
fessionalism. Speaking yesterday at
the Olympic club of Mr.. Whitney's
criticisms, he said: "Mr whitney's
charges were made only in regard to
the Olympic and Reliance clubs here
and mainly as to football. lie did not
charge that money was actually paid
to any of the players. but that men
were obtained for the teams outside of
the clubs, and that through the influ-
ence Of the clubs positions were oh
tanned for them as an inducement to
play in the club teams AS a conse-
quence smaller clubs with less infiu-
ence would be unable to obtain as good
men. l think Whitney was right on
that proposition.
The fact Of the matter is, these or
CARNATIONS are composed chiefly of
young men who have not time TO de-
vote to practice without injury to their
prospects in business. 1t takes a great
deal or time to train for a football
team. Consequently, II the club wants
10 get up a team il has got to look on
the outside for men, and II Is princi-
pally TO the colleges that they must go.
The teams have been largely made up
of men either in college or men lust
out of college and out of positions and
needing them.
The remedy? That is a hard oues-
ton. or course. rules may be passed
prohibiting all this; but how can you
enforce them?
There could be no objection IL the
cluos would take in these college men
as members in the regular way long
before the time for forming the team.
but the olympics and Reliance clubs
have actually played men who were not
members OF the respective clubs. Then
some or the players have been carried
on the books without paying initiation
fees or dues. All this is wrong. of
course. and think that Il will be news !
even 10 Mr.. Whitney. We have sent
him stenographer's report OF all our
Investigations
The charges he made against the
Butte team were all true. That was |
simply an example Of the evils COM 1
planned Of being carried out 10 the I
limit What Mr.. whitney has written 4
Is going TO do good. and will tend TO /
aorrect the evils as far as il lies in the,
power OF the authorities.