The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-25
To SUPPRESS ROWDYISM
POLO OFFICIALS INSTRUCT WEST
ERN LEAGUE REFEREES.
Offending Players Will BE Fined and
Suspended-HenIey Declares In
Favor of Clean Polo.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
ANDERSON, Ind, Nov. A.-The officials
and magnates of the Western Roller Polo
League met here to-day and took steps
which will suppress the playing Of rowdy
polo in that league. Those in attendance
were President Norton and ]. c. Fisher,
representing Anderson; Secretary Durbin
and James Sebern, representing Elwood;
M. C. Henley. representing Richmond, and
William Page. representing Marion. In
dianarolis and Muncie were not represent
ed. but notified Secretary Durbin by mail
that they were in favor of strictly clean
polo.
The meeting was called to order at 10
o'clock by President Norton and Vice Presi-
dent Henley took the floor. Mr.. Henley
spoke very emphatically against rowdy
polo, and gave IL as his opinion that clean
polo would win a lasting home in the
hearts Of the fans where polo, as ii has
been played in several cases so far this
season, will in great measure lower the
game to the same plane as a Mexican bull
fight.
IT want to be put on record as being in
favor of strictly clean polo," said Mr.. Hem
ley. IF the players of the Richmond team
use tactics which are not in accordance
erees use the limit of their authority and
assess fines that they may see fit. Polo
writer's acknowledge that my half back
and center are excellent men in their posi-
tions, but do not like to give them the
credit that is due them for playing a skill
full, blocking game"
A unanimous vote was accorded that the
referees be instructed to enforce the play
ing rules, and this was done at once. Ref
erees Moran and Klobedanz were in at
tendance at the meeting. and will hereafter
expel the offending players from the floor
when foul tactics are used. Under the new
rules adopted by the officials of the West
ern League X is not a foul for a player
to kick or boot the ball, and the referees
have been censured by the fans in the gas
belt cities for what they thought was the
non-enforcsment of the playing rules.
Secretary Durbin made the following
statement at the close OF the meeting:
"Messrs. KlObedanz and Moran were in
structed at the meeting to fine or suspend
player according to the gravity of his
Of talk going over the circuit on the style
of polo played by Mansfield and Doherty
of the Richmond team. 1 have personally
witnessed number of games In which
in only one instance did / see a really
rowdy exhibition of polo, and at this time
there was provoeation. This meeting was
not called by President Norton for the
purpose OF taking action on these two play
ers. as has been stated in the newspapers
throughout the circuit We had business
OF Importance to the league only to dis
cuss and the question of dirty polo was a
secondary consideration, although il was
understood that this question would come
before the board"
Frank Wodtke. the first rush and captain
| of the Anderson team, who has been out
Of the game since the opening night on
account of broken finger, will play
| against Indianapolis in the latter city on
| Thursday night. The second finger of his
| right hand was broken after three minutes
| Of play on the opening night in Richmond
| and he has been out OF the game ever
| since.