The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-12-07
ARMY GENERAL OPPOSES
FOOTBALL AS NOW
PLAYED
.FAYORS CHANGE OF RULES
Which viii Limit Brutality
on the GridirOn.

Boston, Dec 7.--Generai Nelson 4.
Miles has sent a letter 20 the press on
the subject Of football He is Of the
opinion that the game as 1t Is now played
has a degrading influence and should
be modified He writes, in part:
While | have becn an advocate Of
athletic sports ana exercises, en-
couraged. authorized and established
them n many parts Of the country and.
If properly conducted. believe they
should be encouraged. and think they
promise the general welfare Of the mil
tary and naval service and those who
engage IN them In any community. yet
believe they should se regulated and
governed by proper rules aud laws and
relieved OF all injurious methods and in
fuonces.
u have seen the game played in this
and other countries. and there are va
rious rules or systems governing the
game Of football, known as the AUS
tralian game, the Scotch game. the En-
glish game and the American game
Football as played here now, while =,
meets the approval OF a iarge number Of
our people Is, IA my opinion. the most
brutal. fatal and ii-advised Of any
game OF sport practiced by any people
In any pats Of the world. There are
more casualties recorded in the history
of that game than ia The history Of bull
hghG or prize lights, and surely il can
rot be the most eleyating amusement
TO see mass OF legs arms and bodies
rolling over ia the dirt Tor the gratihca-
ton OF the participants or the amuse-
ment OF the spectators
During the last few months. no less
/ than nineteen young men have lost their
llf.es IN the game II the young men
were engaged in some noble and worthy
c,mse where such courage fortIiude and
sacrihca were needed. and for the bene-
at of The public or OF the state. we
might applaud the system. but it can
not. in my opinion, he regarded by
thoughtful people as other than useless
sacrifice and a fruitless waste OF life.
I'VE see the young men enter the
football arena in their fun vigor OF
strength ana manly powers, and in few
moments we witness a number OF then
cnrried from the field. crippled and dis
abled. but we do not follow them to theil
homes of mourning. we do not witness
the SORROW the bereavement, the agony
Of those nearest and dearest TO them
possibly Of those who have showere,
upon them the most tender and endear
ing devotion and affection, or who ma,
be dependent upon them and upon thei
, protection ana support in future years
Hence. In my opinion, the rules tina
authorize such a game and such oppor
, tnnAies for the vicious and maliclou
, should receive the earnest condemnation
OF, an honorable men and women.
1T has reached the limit Of brutalit
, and unless the rules are RADICAL
changed so that a more open game ca
, be- played. where the acts Of every n
, dWiduai especially the rough and toug
, element can be witnessed by the un
, pires, judges and spectators. IN my opin
, ion it should be discontinued by Law
, the same as other contests and sport
, Of less fatal resglts.
81 "rhe fact that tens OF thousands wi
! go to Witness such "a game does nc
! prove Its moral worth OF excellence. ft
! the Same class OF people so 10 witnes
! other shows and contests OF animals an
! men ana would so to witness combai
) and contests such as the Romnns had
, the same were not restricted by laY
: To encourage Il as II Is now played. la
) in my opinion, a degrading inhuen'
! upon the cosimunity and rising generi
! dons. and tends 10 popuiarize brutality