Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-01
CHANGE TIE RULES
srRENUosITY aaioF FOOT BALL
GAME UNDER CONFEDERATION.
Matter to Be Brought Before Board Of
Education-Views Of School
Principals.

It is believed to be probable that the board
of education of the District of Columbia
will take some acton soon in regard to the
playing Of foot bail by the Washington
High School students, at least in regulation
of the length of time that the youths shall
be permitted to play. The question of bru-
tally versus legitimate sport has arisen in
the high schools of the city a result Of
the foot ball game played week ago today
between the teams of the Central High
School and the Mckinley Manual Train
ing School. This game was played on the
Georgetown University field beginning at
2:30 o'clock. and the Central team, which
has held the championship in High School
foot ball for many years, was defeated for
the first time by her rival-the TECH
with a score of 10 to D.
The first half was thirty-ive minutes
long and the second twenty-four minutes.
| After the game it was found that the
members of the Central team were greatly
exhausted, and it was feared for time
that several of the players were seriously
injured. Logan Cunningham, half-back
on the Central team, was so badly bruised
about the body that 1t was thought that he
might have suffered a fracture of one
more ribs, while Rollo Scott the Centrals
center, received wrench In the back that
caused temporary paralysis.
'Rumors were current the latter part Of
last week to the effect that both of these
boys had received permanent injuries, but
Mr.. Wilson, principal Of the Central High
School, stated to Star reporter today that
Scott was already back in school, and suf-
fering no ill-effects from the temporary in
jury. and that Cunningham would be back
within a few days, the latter having re-
ceived a severe sprain of the knee and some
bruises. instead Of a fracture Of the ribs,
was at first suspected.
Effect on Tech Players.
Mr. Gardner principal of the "Tech."
stated today that none of the players from
his school had sustained any serious in1u-
ries in the game one student only receiv-
ing black eye in the scuff1e.
However, from the fact that this was
81 obabIy the most strenuous game ever
played by local high school teams, Mr..
Percy Hughes. director of high schools,
thinks the time has come to bring the
question of regulating the game. and pos
sibly the manner of playing, to the at
teEtion of the board of education. He says
he does not believe the high school teams
should be allowed to play as long as
thirty-fve minutes in half supporting his
state ment, which was seconded by Princi-
pal Wilson of the Central. by adding that
even the college foot ball teams throughout
the country seldom play the full thirty-five
mirute halves.
Mr.. Wilson stated that the boys of the
Central were not DESTROYS of playing SO
long and firing themselves out, but that
Mr. Mattern Of the Tech insisted, on be-
half of the coach of the Tech team. that
the longer game be played. Mr.. Wilson
also said that Mr.. Mattern declared that
the Tech" team would consider the game
forfeited by the Central If the long game
was not played, adding. nevertheless, that
1t was against his judgment to play
long. Mr.. Wilson is clearly of the opinion
that the Central boys as well as the others
played longer than was good for them.
Principal Gardeners View
Mr. Gardner and Mr.. Hecox, the latter
being the coach of the Tech" team, stated
to a Star reporter 7that they understood
that the Central team would try to win
the game at all hazards, and believing as
they did that the short and fast game was
just what the Central boys wanted in or
der to succeed they demanded the longer
time, that both schools might have a fair
chance for the laureIs, Mr. Gardner said
he did not believe that thirty-ive minute
! halves were too long the Brooklyn and
Chicago High School teams having played
for that time recently, at Brooklyn, with
out comment or bad results. He said both
teams were evidently going in to win and
that was an end to 1t.
1t Is understood those who look at the
matter In an entirely impartial light con-
slider the game merely an effort Of both
teams to fight to the blood on account OF
old rivalry. and that there was nothing ac-
tually unfair on either side That any feel
Ing should arise among the students and
| school authorities and the parents of the
| players. they think. is but the natural out
come of the rules Of the game, which are
| each year approaching nearer to those of
| the college game. 1t has come, it is said,
| to be an actual fight between the two lead
| ing teams, and if no check is put upon the
| players their anxiety to win will lead them
| too far 1t Is on this account. 1t Is be-
| lieved, that Mr.. Hughes intends to bring
| the matter to the consideration of the
| school board, which has the power to regu-
| late the game, SO that the boys will not be
| liable to hurt themselves seriously.
rumor was circulated today and yester
| day that young Claude Elson, q student at
| the Business High School, who died Satur-
| day afternoon. had received injuries in foot
| bail that either directly or indirectly caused
| his death. This was denied absolutely this
| afternoon by the physician, DR.. j. s. Allen.
who attended the boy constantly during his
| illness of three or four weeks The cause
! of death, he stated. was typhoid fever
| alone.