New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-26
ON THE THAMES AND ELSEWHERE.

Tn the department of athletics the college
year inst ended has brought substantial salts
faction to Yale and her ardent partisans all
over the country. She won the undisputed
championship of the football arena last fall
with an eleven which has never been surpassed
for power swiftness and skill. few weeks
ago. by the narrowest possible margin her
track team prevailed over Harvard and secured
permanent possession of a coveted trophy.
In baseball the New-Haven university came out
third in her two series of games with Princeton
and Harvard, surrendering to the former in the
final game when victory seemed to be firmly
in her grasp, and losing twice in succession to
the latter. In recent years Yale has fallen be-
low her former baseball standard, and though
creditably proficient this season the net result
doubtless puts her nine officially where it justly
belongs.
But the serious disappointments Of the dia-
mond are almost forgotten in yesterdays tri-
umph on the water. The annual boat races at
New London between Harvard and Yale GER
tanly do not excite such widespread and in
tense interest as do the football trays of the
principal universities, but inclined to
think that the university race is still the ath-
letic contest which Yale and Harvard men,
old and young, most hate to lose. Heretofore
Harvard alone has felt the rapture of winning
all three races on single day-university, four
oar and freshman-but yesterday her dearest
foes put that triple achievement TO their credit
without excessive difficulty, and in the chief
event Of the day came pretty near equalling the
record. However, the conditions on the Thames
vary so widely from year to year that time is
an exceedingly imperfect test of Craftsmanship,
and in this instance the victors will hardly
venture to claim that they have secured place
among the greatest of eight oar crews.
Intelligent persons everywhere, whether or
not they share the general and generous feeling
of sympathy with the young men to whom vic
tory in college sports is so dear and defeat so
bitter, have reason to rejoice in the fact that
these contests are becoming more and more
thoroughly reputable in all respects. The pro-
fessional spirit with which they were in no
slight degree tainted at time has not been
completely eradicated everywhere, but it Is dis
appearing and, may fairly hope, viii soon be
gone. 1t is all the more gratifying, too, that
this notable reform has been brought about not
by coercive measures on the part of college Off
GERS, but by the common sentiment of the stu
dent bodies, clearly recognizing that victory
which cannot be protested may yet be too dear
ly gained Within the last year two or three
occurrences have given rise to brief suspicion,
but explanations have been so frankly offered
and cordially accepted that an increase Of
mutual respect and good Will has been the re-
suit.
There is one feature or excrescence of col
lege athletics which cannot be regarded with
indifference much longer. and which, indeed as
we have been glad to observe. is engaging some
thoughtful attention within as well as outside
Of college walls We refer TO their great and
increasing cost. To he sure. it is not easy to
prescribe way of cutting down the bills The
rivalry is so keen and the natural desire to sup
ply every possible requirement of proficiency is
so strong that return to the simpler ways Of
an earlier period may appear to be out of the
question 10 the undergraduates of to-day Yet
we doubt If 1t can be proved that the elabora-
ton of the modern system, the MULTIPLICATION
of instrumentalities and appliances for the
benefit of the athletes, is essential condition
of success in the eager struggle for SUPREMACY
There have been college crews, for example. Of
at least as high quality as those that raced yes
terday the Thames and those that will race
/ to-day the Hudson which were maintained
at much smaller expense. The extravaganza of
this era is TO be regretted not merely because
/ of the pecuniary burden it imposes. but we
think also because of the moral effect which #
produces; and leader Of college opinion who