Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-05
WILL TAKE AN APPEAL
BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PASS
UPON DISPUTED POINT.
Question Before Athletic Advisory
Board Regarding Eligibility Of
Business Team Pitcher.

The controversy which arose in high
school athletic circles recently because Of
the decision Of the athletic advisory board
in refusing to allow c. c. Beckett OF the
Business High School to play on the base
ball team representing that institution this
season will be officially brought before the
school authorities for their consideration
at the meeting Of that body to be held to-
morrow night. It is stated that the adj
visory board Of high school athletics has
refused to reconsider Its former decision,
and. according to statements by some of
the interested parties. the members Of the
Business High School have decided, as stat
ed, to appeal to the board Of education.
The subject will be presented to the board
by Mr.. ]. Holdsworth Gordon chairman of
the committee in charge of high schools
and a member Of the board of education.
The Business High School team played a
game with the nine representing the West
ern High School last Wednesday afternoon
The game was played under protest. This
afternoon the Business team will meet that
of the Eastern High School at American
League Park. also under protest.
The cause of the trouble has previously
been reviewed in The Star. Re-stated, the
contention has been that young Beckett,
who Is regarded as the star pitcher of the
High School Base Ball League of the Dis
trict, has been declared ineligible to play
majority of the athletic advisory board
of high schools Beckett played on the
base ball team during the season Of 1902,
and also on the foot ball eleven Of last
Der. He re-entered the institution January
Is of this year.
Views Of the Majority.
It is learned that the majority Of the adj
visory board consider the circumstance Of
the foot ball season and re-entering just in
time to play on the base ball nine. accord
ing to the regulations governing high school
athletics. as an Indication that he Is in
school rather for the athletic features than
for the scholastic training. While the men,
bers Of the board. 1t is said, do not question
that the letter of the rules has been full
filled, they consider that the spirit of the
regulations has been violated. Alleged con-
eligibility are also said to be factor enter
ing into the decision Of the advisory board
1t is further learned that there are no
charges of professionalism against Beckett,
and that there are no personal charges
against him. So far as can be ascertained
1t is admitted the young man is technically
qualified to play on the Business team.
Mr.. Beckett's Statement.
AS an Offset to the suspicion that the
scholastic training is secondary consider
alton with the young man, which was occa-
stoned by his leaving and entering the in
stitution in the time mentioned, there has
been placed before the advisory board a
sworn statement from Beckett in which he
declares he is in school primarily for the
school work, and that athletics is second
airy matter with him. He also explains his
reasons for leaving and entering when he
did. sworn statement from the coach to
the effect that he had not used any undue
influence to secure Beckett for the team
and statements from the teachers in the
Business High School regarding his salts
factory work in the various branches have
been presented to the advisory board for it's
consideration. The teachers have also made
statements expressing their belief that
Beckett Is in school through proper motives
and that he Is eligible to play on the base
ball team.
1t is learned that the members of the
high school advisory board of athletics
who are averse to allowing Beckett to play
have prepared statement of their side OF
the case. which will be presented to the
board of education should request for
such a statement be made
Whether or not the members of the board
of education will decide to take any action
in the matter of the appeal from the decis-
lon of the advisory board cannot be ascer-
tanned. Friends Of the Business team have
freely expressed the belief that 1t has been
uL'c, iiiiiiia.eu against, Whlle the members
or the team declare their aversion to TAX
ing part in the High School Base Ball
League unless Beckett is reinstated.
Business High Schools Position.
1t is pointed out by those who sustain
the Business High Schools position in the
premises that Beckett is technically eligible
to play on the team. notwithstanding the
circumstances surrounding the case, and
that since evidence has been presented in
explanation of the circumstances which
have occasioned suspicion as to his entire
ehg1b1lity, he should not be excluded from
the team. 1t is considered that the regula-
lions laid down by the advisory board to
govern qualifications Of players have been
thoroughly complied with, and that even
though the board has made mistake in not
making provision for cases similar to the
one In question it cannot now in fairness
correct possible defects in the regulations