The Washington times., 1905-12-04


napolis- West Point football game.
Princeton as the scene of this great
est of American sporting events is a
ghastly failure Not one word Is to be
said in its defense, while q. 600 adher-
ents of the two teams are unanimous in
expressing the opinion that if the games
are to be held in the Jersey town again
they Will not go. Seldom has there
been such an avalanche of condemna-
tion. the greater part of II from cnn-
servatives who are chary of expressing
an opinion or from happy-go-lucky in
Gividuals who ordinarily 90 not mind
any amount OF discomfort just so they
see d good game
Railroad Fell Down.
The railroad accommodations were of
the worst. and what special arrange
ments had been made were so mixed
and befuddlcd that passengers could not
tell where to go how 10 get there
Confusion reigned supreme. and the
lack Of management and system was a
sad commentary upon the Pennsylvania
officials The railroad attendants were as
ignorant Of the location of the various
trains rs the persons who asked them
for information. and when the belated
enthusiast did finally reach his car there
were interminable delays in starting and
tirescmc stops after getting under way
On every SIDE the voice OF protest Is
heard. The teams from West Point and
Annapolis. with their hundreds or accom-
panying rooters. were hours behind in
depositing their tired and disgusted pas
sengers in their towns. while those
bound for Philadelphia. New York. Bal
timore. Washington. and other big
cities. which contributed literally. were
in almost as bad a plight.
Princeton Incompetent.
Princeton itself was as deficient I'm ac-
oomnodations as was the railroad COM
pany. and after the passenger had wor-
RED himself almost to death about the
train service. he found he was unable to
set ANYTHING to eat or a place 20 sleep
l. he wished, or had, to remain over
The horde Of strangers completely
swarnped and overran the Jersey town,
bringing unutterabIe discomfort and dis
gust
The Army. the Navy, the officials of
the Washington departments. the foot
ball enthusiasts from everywhere are a
unit IN denouncing the attempt TO hold
sucn an Important and popular event In
place so utterly united, and so loud
and vigorous is the volume of justifiable
complaint that IL is practically certain
there will be a change before next sea-
SON
Washington the Place
Washington is the place!
when Princeton was given the annual
Army-Nayy game last year without ap-
parent consideration of the public or the
teams. It was pointed out in The Times
that that selection was a poor one and
would inevitably lead TO the mortifvine
failure which occurred on Saturday. The
lack Of railroad facilities was pointed
out. but the railroad promised 10 lay ad-
ditional tracks which would obviate the
difficulty. The tracks were laid but the
confusion was rendered the greater
thereby. The inability OF Princeton to
Feed and Otherwise handle such an
enormous Influx of YisitOrs was predict
ed. ana the prediction vas verified even
tions
The Times Suggestion Popular
The Times suggested that Washington
was the logical place for such a game
and that suggestion has grown into Il
demand lp0n the part Of military and
naval hicials and those who were
forced 10 endure the inconveniences
marking the trip 10 Princeton.
Washington has railroad accommoda-
N4S4-S NOV ~ lld4lhpOTi any size cFOWO,
as II has demonstrated many times a [
inauSurations and other great national
gatherings. and when the new Union
Station is completed It will have one of
the most complete and extensive systems
OF railroad debarkatiOn In the world. No
matter now manv thousands OF football /
followers may rush into the city on the
day ~ the game they can be handled
with ease.
Ample Accommodations.
In the matter or feeding and housina,
huge. temporary concourses. Washing
Ton has had long experience and has
given satisfaction. The hotels. rceta,1r-
ants. boarding houses and other nIacas
catering 20 the public are thoroughly
familiar with what is required under
such circumstances and can provide food
and lodging for d much greater number
than will attend the inter-Acade-nv con-
test
suitable field is provided bv the
White Lot, where temporary stands
could be built for a comparatively small
sum, and the size Of the lot admits ~
the erection Of as many seats as tbere
were at Princeton or Franklin Field ~