The Portland daily press., 1900-11-09
Offers to Donate All to
Hospital.
A Proposition to Play Harvard
Varsity Declined


Brunswick, November 5.-The annual
football game between Bates and Bow
doin has not yet been arranged owing to-
q disagreement In relation to a division
OF gate receipts. A day or two ago the
manager OF the Bates team sent COM
munication to the Bowdoin manager
stating that Bates would give Bowdoin
a guarantee Of Sl9o or that the question
in dispute could be left to COMMITTEES.
10 that communication the following
reply has been sent:
Brunswick, November s, 1900
Mr.. X. 5. W. Roberts, manager and cap
. tain, Lewiston, Me-:
Dear Sir-I have your note OF the 9th
inst. Bowdoin much regrets the differ
ence between our associations respecting
gate receipts and would be glad to play
your team If that question were out Of
the way. Our position in regard to this
single point of dispute between us Is
easily stated, If it needs to be stated at
all.
We think the just and sportsmanliks
rule is TO divide the gross or net receipts
equally. This rule of equality Is based
on the assumed equality OF the teams
and on the fact that they equally attract
the crowd.
1t is accordingly invariably applied by
Harvard, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton
and other colleges, and we know of no
reason why 1t should not be applied by.
Bates and Bowdoin.
AS q matter OF fact, 1t was so applied
last year My predecessor contended for
that rule, and your predecessor yielded
and Bates took half the gross receipts OF
the Brunswick game. 1t is true that the
consent of the Bates manager was reluc-
tant, and was accompanied by disclaim-
er that the arrangement should be con-
sidered precedent, but opr object
in holding out for the equality rule was to
establish a precedent as was stated in
communication to yourlpredecessor at the
time, and we supposed, II the 1899 rule
were not permanently adopted by the two
associations that 1t would at any rate
govern the return game in 1900.
On general grounds, therefore, and be-
cause you took half the recaipts of the
game here last year, we can see no reason
why we should receive less fraction in
Lewiston this year.
We cannot for a moment concede to you
any supposed advantage Of position be-
cause yon happen to be located in a larg-
er town than Brunswick, If that is what
you mean. No other college, so far as
we know, makes or is allowed any such
claim because there Is no valid founda-
tion for 1t.
The fact that the best attended game
You have In Lewiston is the Bowdoin
game, Will suggest to you to what extent
our team attracts the crowd.
We accordingly decline your proposition
to play for guaranty of $3.50, and claim
half the net or gross receipts. 1t is true
you received only sl9u In 1899 but that
was because there was only $3.50 to d.
vide. When there Is more to divide each
side will be entitled to more.
Your alternative proposition to refer
the question In dispute is also declined.
The two associations Joined In refer
enoe OF the same question In 1899, but
nothing seams TO have come OF 1t except
somewhat arbitrary division Of the re-
oeipts OF a single game, and another refer
enoe would probably result in the same
way.
AS, however, we would be glad to meet
your eleven on the gridiron this season,
L am authorized to submit alternative
propositions to you.
One of your alumni understand, has
unofficially suggested recently that the
two teams divide equally up to $500 or
$500, and that any excess go, two-thirds
to the home team, and one-third to the
visiting team. We would play on that
basis, taking half the gross receipts up
to $500. Or, If this proposition is declined,
we will play on these terms: Each team
to pay Its own expenses, and thu entire
gross receipts including grand stand to
be divided between the two Lewiston
hospitals. I hope you win feel like ac-
cepting one OF these propositions at
once, In which case l shall be glad to
arrange a date with you.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) FL. l.. Berry,
Manager Bowdoin +. b. Il.
Manager Berry has received letter
from the manager of the Harvard Foot
ball team inviting the Bowdoin team to
play game with the Harvard first eley-
en- on the 18th inst.
a ~.