Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-15

ruled out several men whose amateur stand
ing is questioned. This move Is along the
line adopted by the Michigan institution, and
IL is not boasting, neither is 1t said in
fault finding manner, when the statement Is
made that II all other universities exercised
the same care in this respect there would be
few cases for Caspar whitney to rave over
In this connection it is worthy OF note that
not one Of Michigans men we're under sus-
plcion last season, and Manager Baird is
determined that the finger Of suspicion shall
not be pointed in the direction Of his athletes
in the future. Chicago has always been In
bad repute and the present foot ball season
is no exception. Last year several men were
played against whom direct charges had
been made, Ewing in particular being pail
player who was with independent teams dur
ing the summer months, and who duuotiess
received compensation for his services Ihe
case OF Gordon Clarke was excusable, to
degree, and In a spirit OF fairness 1t seems
as though the brilliant back should have
been allowed to play although other men on
the team had no right there whatever
II is rather strange but must be accepted
as true. that love for a college induces man
to make sacrifices that may change his en-
tire business career and perhaps mold
bright future into one OF disaster, as that
is what Fullback Frank Shaker CT the Uni
verslty of Chicago eleven has done, according
to the papers of the Windy City. Shaker
who lives in Aurora, H., has influential
relatives who offered him fine position as
a mining engineer and he decided to go to
Leland Stanford university to fit himself FOR
his new duties. His trunk was packed and
sent to the depot and he had ticket to
/ California In his pocket when Coach Stags
and members of the maroon eleven swooped
down upon the famous fullback and used all
the persuasive eloquence in their power to
induce him to remain, pleading that the
team would be wrecked If he deserted them.
To make the story short Shaker decided to
abandon his plans that promised so much
for the future, providing he could get the
money refunded for his railroad ticket
something that was easily accomplished and
he now says he will remain in Chicago the
four yearg that man is allowed to play foot
ball on a varsity team.
Both coach Stagg and Shaker took the pains
to assure newspaper men that no induce
mcnts were held out, but that honor ana
college spirit caused Shaker to remain with
tho maroon team. Stagg also said he be-
leved no one offered inducements but this
evident anxiety to drive away suspicion only
the Chicago university. College spirit is all
right. but the public will fail to see where 1t
affected Slaker's honor in the least If he
had given up play that might result in per-
manent injury to accept lucrative position
Only one conclusion can be reached and tha'
is a very reasonable one. Shaker is valuable
man on foot ball team, and no one realizes
that fact better than himself. Out at Leland
Stanford university they have quite 100.
ball team, and a man like Shaker woulc
make it much better. II inducements were
held out by the coast school it would be
natural for Shaker to accept, although he
would doubtless much rather remain WIZ
the maroon If all were equal Under th'
: circumstances the Chicago team Will Dc
looked upon as violating the amateur rules
and the inside history of the Shaker case
would make interesting reading for college
men.