Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-02
THE CHURCH LEAGUE DISPUTE.
A Statement on Behalf Of the Temple
Baptist Team.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
1t has been very unfortunate that Mr..
Seay, the captain Of the Gunton- Temple
team. and Mr.. Provost, the superintendent
Of the Sunday school of that church, should
have made any public statements in regard
to the action of the board of directors in
connection with the games between the
Gunton-Temple and the Temple Baptist
teams, especially in view Of the fact that
neither Of the gentlemen named Is on the
board Of directors. and Is not aware Of the
circumstances which led up to the decision
of the board. In the first place the claim Is
made that as the CIuntOn team won the
game played on August "a. the case is clos
ed, and the board has no further control
over the matter. the Gunton team entirely
forgetting that they now have to their cred
1t game in which they were dectstvely de-
feated by the Sixth Presbyterian team, but
which was protested by them. This would
indicate that the board has some control
over the matter. When the season ended
with tie between the Gunton and Temple
Baptist teams, inquiry was made by mem
bers of the board of directors as to the
custom of the large leagues in playing off
tie games for the championship and 1t was
found to be the universal practice to play
a series of three, five or seven games At
a meeting of the board to decide this mat
ter, the manager of the Gunton team stated
that his reason for asking that but one
much weaker, was sure of being beaten,
and that he desired to have the agony
over with as soon as possible. and. further,
that his team should not be "humilia ted
by being compelled to play three games be-
fore large crowds, with certainty OF being
defeated.
Out of consideration for the feelings. of
the manager in this matter the board, by
a majority of one, voted to play but one
game. In view of the boards action in
granting the request Of the manager OF the
Gunton team, no member of the board or
directors anticipated that an almost en-
tirely new team would be put the field
by the Gunton Church to play this one
game. When the Gunton team appeared on
the grounds on the oath ultimo with five
new players the manager OF the Temples
entered protest and gave the other team
sufficient time in which to place its regular
men in uniform for play This was not
under protest. After the game the cup
was given informally to one of the Gunton
men by the president of the board, with
the statement that the same was delivered
subject to protest by the Temples.
For the reasons stated the game of Au-
gust "a could have been protested, and but
one additional game played to decide the
championship; but the representative of the
Temple team feeling confident of the abll-
ity of his men to win two straight games
from the Guntons. offered on his own voli-
ton to let the game in question stand.
Notwithstanding the fact that three of
the new men had previously established
their eligibility to play on the Mount Tabor
Church team, no objection would have been
made to any of the new men had they par
ticipated in any other game than one in
tended to show the real strength Of the two
teams. Mr.. Leet, the manager of the Gun
ton team, has acted in an honorable man
ner throughout the entire season, and there
Is no question that when he made his re-
quest to the board of directors that but
one game be played he had any idea that
any new men would participate therein
His colleague on the board stated that up
to the time Of the beginning Of the game
Mr.. Leet strongly protested against any of
the new men being allowed to play, but
that the matter of the selection Of players
had been placed in the hands Of one of the
members of his team. 1t is hardly fair
however, that the Temple team should be
called upon to suffer by reason Of the fall
ure of the manager Of the Guntons to con-
troll his team. Should the championship
now appears. by reason Of forfeits on the
part of Gunton. 1t Is willing at any time to
play either three or five games with the
Gunton team. and should the latter team
win in the series its right to the cup and
championship will not be questioned. 1t
Will object, however, to playing any other
team under the name of "Gunton" in such
series.
It would be very unfortunate il the good
work which has been accomplished among
the young men of this city during the pres
any way be marred by rupture Of the
good feeling which has heretofore existed
among the players and the friends of the
league. E. PERCY GATES,
President Young Mems League and Dr.
rector for Temple Baptist Church