Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-05
HOLMES DEFENDS
STAND OF j. 5. c.
OCCIDENTAL is RESPONSIBLE
FOR BASEBALL MIDDLE
METH0DISTS' COACH TALKS
Declares That Manager GoodelI Was
Supported by Coach and Faculty
In Calling OF sehed-
uled Game

Prof. Harvey Holmes. athletic di-
rector of the University of Southern
California, is confident that u. s. G. has
taken the right stand in the forfeited
game" discussion now at fever heat be-
tween the Methodist university and Oc-
cidental Prof. Holmes had the follow
ing to say when interviewed last even
ing;
mo one appreciates more fully than
I that wrangllng does not improve the
status of amateur athletics, and so we
endeavor to keep out of difficulties or
thing in two years as this baseball
muddle, and ! shall really regret that
1t cannot continue.
"The arguments, ETC., are so puerile
that it is amusing and the feints and
counters and side-steps are of such a
ludicrous nature that it would be too
selfish to conceal them all under i'm
penetrable silence. 1 do not mind stat
ing the situation, but l do dislike to
ring down the curtain on the most
laughable farce it has been my oppor-
tunity to witness.
I'm early practice 1 could not see
how our team could get better than
fourth place. owing to the fact that our
faculty committee barred several
strong men. However, having defeat
ed the other colleges in football and
track we were ready to receive all
that was coming to us in baseball and
have our athletic enemies even up mat
ters. We consequently scheduled two
games with ST. Vincent's and two with
Occidental, the latter through Manager
Goodell, those with Mr.. Goodell's COL
lege to be on May 20 and June 8, and in
case each college won one, a third
should be played. The day the Japs
played Occidental. Coach Merrill stat
ed to me that their team could not play
June 8. 1 replied that during the fol-
lowing week we had three games on,
viz: Monday, Throop; Wednesday,
Waseda; Saturday. st. Vincents, but if
possible we would play earlier than
June if it would be a favor to them.
LAS Mr.. Merrill did not arrange the
first schedule, 1 did not know if he
had power to change the date. On
Wednesday, the oath, the Occidental
baseball manager, Mr. Goodell. a senior
in college. stated that they could not
play June 3 as scheduled. OF course
l asked the reason, and he replied that
some of the boys wanted to practice
a,,;1
home before the close of school, and
that they would not take chances with
some of their best men gone. I did not
see how we were to blame for their
men either being in school, home or
playing tennis, and stated that we felt
they should play as scheduled. He
then stated that the faculty positively
prohibited them from playing any
games after May 81.
Il was undiplomatic enough to say
that took no stock in that faculty IN
terference. but in case they had inter-
fered it was a the request of the man.
ager and coach. This was not denied.
Captain Bacon was called and he cor
roborated the managers statements
both in regard to the loss of players
and to the faculty prohibiting them
from playing after May q, and 1 was
referred to any member of the faculty
in case their combined statement was
insufficient. 1 then requested them to
consult the coach, and If they were will
ing we would have the game earlier in
the week than June 3. or on Friday,
May 26, the day prior to our st. Vim
cent game.
THE reply came back that the fac
ulty would not consent to any games
after May q, and that they would not
play Friday. the 26th. and that they
would rather forfeit the game than
play on June 3, as scheduled, or ear
lier in the week, or even on Friday,