The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-29
CHANGE Desired.
What is Needed to Restore
Confidence in Polo.
Four OF the Cities Dissatisfied
With the League Management
Favoritlsm to Certain Managers and Clubs
Has Been Altogether Too Apparent.

1t is safe statement to make that unless
there be some change before the opening
of the next season in the management,
managers and players, that the game will
be frost in this section, including Prov
idence and Pawtucket, and it is to be
hoped that short sightedness will not be
allowed to kill game, which properly
played Is one of the most interesting of
sports to witness.
In probably four of the five polo cities
on the circuit the patrons Of the game are
dissatisfied, and 1t is a self-evident fact
that unless the game receives patronage
enough to pay profit to the managers OF
the team there will be no more polo. The
way In which the National League of roller
polo clubs has been conducted for the past
two seasons has not been satisfactory, and
the only way to restore public confidence
in the game will be to effect an entire
change In the management of the League,
and the management of at least two of the
clubs.
That roller polo Is given more space in
the Pawtucket press than any city on the
circuit Is apparent, and at the same time
the game is followed more closely by the
writer's of sporting news. This naturally
indicates interest in the game, and as a
natural result information.
Regarding the salaries paid referees 1t
may be remarked that the amount paid is
insufficient, for the reason that after de-
ducting the necessary expenses incurred
in travelling the amount remaining Is not
an object sufficient to retain good man,
and the whole success OF the game, as far
as its patrons are concerned, depends on
the way in which it is played.
For referee to show prejudice in favor
| of one team, or become known as a "home
| referee" destroys confidence, and conf
| dence In any line Of sport Is necessary to
| its success, and in no instance where pub
lie confidence has been destroyed has the
result been financial success to its pro-
moters.
William T. Keough, one of the best
referees that ever officiated at polo game,
found the income from the game not
| sufficient, and accepted more lucrative
| position. 1t certainly would have been a
paying investment to have made it an in
| ducement for him to remain, especially in
view of recent events.
In O'Malley the officials of the league
have good man, and one of experience;
but O'Malley Is one of the few men who is
| in an independent position, and 1t is not
necessary for him to continue in the game
for livelihood. The dismissal of Manning
was move not satisfactory to the general
| public.
While Manning may have been too inde-
pendent in his rulings to suit one or possi-
bly, two managers, still there was no one
questioned his honesty, and at the time he
was retired to make place for another his
work was giving general satisfaction, ex-
cept as we are told to one or two managers.
He certainly gave promise of general salts
faction and making an excellent afficial.
AS to his successor, j. Dwight Brady,
there Is considerable to be said. In the
| first place, outside of the game of polo,
Mr.. Brady Is a man that is respected; and
let 1t be said to his credit that he Is at all
times a gentleman. He has, except in q
certain section, ,given but poor satisfaction.
In the games in which New Bedford did
not figure his work was fairly good, but in
his official capacity In the games in which
New Bedford have played he has shown q
strong prejudice in their favor, and has at
other times given the impression that he
was utterly incompetent.
There Is a rumor in circulation to the
effect that he was appointed for the pur-
pose of helping New Bedford win the
championship. This is naturally strong
assertion to make, and natural to the
prejudiced. Whether 1t be SO or not is q
question that at present no one is in pos
session of sufficient information to decide.
Regarding the facts of the case, Brady re-
ceived more adverse comments from the
press than did Manning, yet Brady was
retained and Manning let 60. Can man
officiate impartially at contest when he
desires either side to win?
III Manager Doe land Cotter were con-
suited regarding his appointment, why
was not Manager Mieklejohn, who had the
leading team in the race? How was It that
Mr.. Doe received more for his services at
the New Bedford rink that any of the
others? Were there not more men of ex-
perience obtainable.
The above ara few of the questions that
those who patronize the game and watch
it closely are asking. Another incident in
connection with the matter Is that Keough
when asked the day before O'Malley was
selected IL he would be willing to referee
the series, replied that II 1t were agreeable
to the managers and players that he would
do so.
Where was O'Malley on Saturday night
after having made repeated promises asked
for in view of his having been absent on
former occasions when a close game was
expected O'Malley expected to come up
to Saturday morning, and in view OF the
outcome and the work of Brady, people
are asking why he did not?
The action regarding the Boston games
was certainly unfair, and there are many
other incidents OF more or less importance
which have not been pleasing to those
who support the game, which ispace will
not permit mention at this time.
There is an endeayor on foot to organize
a league I'm Connecticut for next season,