The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-01
TACKLED By D. D.'S
Ministers Of City Go After the Game
Of Football, but Fail TO 81
Down IL. ~ 81 s5t y:
M. D. Hardin Carries the Ball Over
for Touchdown-Case Where "
Experience Counted.

Rev. Martin D. Hardin pastor OF An
drew Presbyterian church, and preacher
to university students, made seVerai
touchdowns at the monthly meeting Of the
Ministers Alliance this morning.
In the course of a discussion of gCol-
lege Athletics by the ministers. this foot
ball player. for four years on the. cham
pion team of the south and coach Tor TWO
years more Of a star eleven rushed onto
the gridiron with his fighting blood up.
Ably seconded by Rev. Rupert A. swimmer
| ton, another former gridiron player, ne
seemed to turn the tide in favor OF the
game. Notwithstanding the abuses tnae
were chalked up against it. The ministers
took no vote, although time was extenoed
for the purpose. Sentiment Expressed
seemed to indicate that the clergy would
not abolish the game, but the abuses that
attend it, --- -.
Rev. DR.. S. D. Hutsinpiller opened the
subject by reading clippings from news
papers which referred especially TO Ihat
climax Of college athletics, the game OF
football He read also description 81
| 1.-The game as 1t is for the untnitlated,
published over the initials ~. Gu based
on the recent statement OF the chancellor
of Syracuse university, that II there were
not a change Of rules in regard to mass
plays, he would go before the trustees TO
have the game abolished. A faithful reia-
ton Of incidents familiar to the football
I
field of the man with the bottle, sponge
and surgical instruments after down,
and the CONCLUSIVE clutching Of the man
at the bottom Of the scrimmaEe heap pre-
partory to coming to-" and such cries
as "They play dirty BALI" Five dollars
for the first touchdown; They'll all be
drunk Tonight" -se -
! Condemned the Extravaaancs. b.
DR.. HutsinpiIler stated that he was read
| ing q printed article and not MS owl
paper, but said, In so far as it crittctze
extravagances of the game am III NOS
hearty sympathy"
| Various ideas were expressed In regart
to the craze attending the eame.-a craz
| such as accompanied the roller skating
fever-in regard to dissipation, the gam
bling and the brutality Of players. Rev
4 Henry Holmes thought that II college pres
idents and parents were taking actor
against the game it was only question
Of time when it would be so modified tina
the dangers would be eliminated.
DIR. Fielder called attention to the fac
that even the press was protesting agains
the abuses Of the game. He said he wa
not opposed to college athletics, but t
the game Of football as it was carrie
out these days. Mr.. Swinnerton though
that the subject was two-sided and be
lieved that more physical harm was don
by the man 1noping in his room over book
than by the game of football.
Had Been In the Fray ~
At this point Mr.. Hardin arose. MI
Hardin noted that fact that the majorit
Of those who had spoken had evidentl
never played football. To establish hi
right to the floor he detailed his connectio
with the game as a. player and as O. coach
He said with emphasis: II want to say t
you men that I'd rather lose out Of tn
years Of my life any three studies in col
lege than the experience I gained on tn
football team. I believe the trainin
| tosbe Of inestinaable value TO ME asa ma
and as a precher, nd morally T am BET
ter man than il I had not played.''.s M
Hardin deprecated the gambling which /
! ! did not believe to be that Of the studer
body. but mainly of professional gambler
The game was less rough than In his da
when. for instance, the flying wedge was
star but dangerous play.
Mr.. Hardin said he could like later
, present a paper on his side Of the que.
, ton. He quoted President Cyrus NORTH
rop as saying, when asked by the speak.
what he should say to the preachers {
: the meeting as to football, Tell them it
a. splendid thfnR" ''s-: