The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-11-17
WHAT'S THE THING
FOR FOOTBALL?
Position Of University of Utah
Arouses Interest of Public.
RIVAL VIEWS PRESENTED
FRICTION EXISTS OVER DIFFER
ENcES AS TO POLICY.


Why does the University of Utah see
the close of the season approaching
with TWO defeats on the record? Has
this situation been brought about
through lack Of harmonious relations
between the two athletic bodies con-
trolling football at the university? Is
il the result Of lack of material or neg
lect of some of the material already al
hand? Is il the result of any plot 10
get" Coach Maddox, as some say?
or is II simply the result of mis-
take made some time back in estab-
fishing two separate athletic boards.
having coordinate powers and differ
ent policies?
What is the remedy 20 the situation?
In order that an impartial investi-
cation might be made of all the phases
of The Varsity football turmoil in
VOlVed in these questions, The Herald
has secured interviews representing
every side. Disguise the fact as one
may. he cannot get away from the fact
that there are sides. There IS but one
consolation in this. and that is the fact
that each faction is cOnscientiously
working for the best interests of the L.
of L. football eleven as it thinks best.
As a result there is friction. This has
led 70 no little unpIeasantness at the
university. and has been to q great eX-
tent a hindrance on the team. Dtah's
eleven has been defeated by the Uni
versity of Colorado and by the Colorado
School of Mines this year, despite the
splendid work of Coach Maddox. who
is admitted TO be one Of the greatest
/ coaches ever seen in this part of the
| country: despite the efforts OF Byron
Cummings, whose name has been
| linked with Varsity athletics for doZ-
en- years and more; despite the honest
/ endeaVors of DR.. c. G.. Plummer mem
%, kla md
! dent of the advisory athletic cOunclls
| despite the fact that on that council
| .. A. Callahan, one Of the best-in-
| formed men on football matters IN
! Utah. and whose ability has already
/ been proved by the victory of the Salt
| Lake High school team.
Reasons for the Conditions.
An investigation of the why's and
/ wberefores brings TO light three causes
| for the lack of success of the UniVer-
/ sity Of Utah football team. They are.
First-The existence OF two athletic
| boards with practically equal authori-
| ty. and the absence Of a central, direct
! ing head.
/ Second-The difference Of policy pur-
sued bv these boards with regard 10
/ whom may be termed bona lde anna
! teur players
Third-The lack Or organized, c.lef--
]
student body or the athletic boards 20
| secure material for the team.
/ To elaborate on the nrst-naned cause.
/ the existence Of an athletic board ana
an advisory council has caused q div
/ sion Of responsibility which has result
/ ed in a certain amount OF neglect Oh
/ both sides.
! The difference OF opinion with regard
I to amateurs has been brought 10
{ head by the case of Jack Hume
whom President Plummer OF the ad-
visory board has forbidden TO join the
| Varsity eleven. Cause No. 3 is only
too apparent and ii also involves
! difference of opinion between members
/ Of the two boards ~ 10 just what meth
DDS may be termed fair and sports
manlike in securing material for the
team.
/ Remedies Are Suggested.
/ Before going into these causes or
/ I-tah's football weakness in detail. OF
quoting any Of those interviewed, IT
may be we'll to set forth some of the
remedies suggested. These are;
First-The organization of strong
/ body for the purpose of obtaining ma
/ teFial, and the guarantee that this or
ganization would be given support.
! Second-The Capitalization of author
/ ity in one athletic board whose word
shall obtain in all matters regarding
.
Third-The securing of aid for the
/ coach as is common in other colleges.
where former team members lend serv-
! ices gratis
I Revertmg to the causes of friction
which NAV explain away some OF the
mystery surrounding Utah's DOOR form
the Advisory Athletic Council WaE or
ganiZed year ago last fail, when five
4 well known college men Of Salt Lake
I City were invited by President J. r.
/ Kingsbury TO assist in the advance
ment of athletics at the L. of L
! These men were DR.. .. .. Pummer.
formerly OF Northwestern university;
3 D. 4. Callahan. Yale: G. a. Eaton.
/ Harvard: r. II. Claiming Princeton:
and Dr. J. r. Anderson. Michigan.
/ This council was to act with the uni
versity board OF athletics This vague
/ definition of its powers was ali that
/ was given.
At the head of the university board
was. and is. Professor Byron Cum
Minis.
Position of Or. PIummer.
Now. while Dr. c. C. Plummer spe-
! officially stated in an interview given
/ yesterday that he would speak not
I from the standpoint of a member of the
! advisory council, but as a member OF
. the board of regents. il is hardly likely
I that his views would change with the
/ title, therefore II is reasonable TO SUD
nose that where he and Professor cum
I mings differ I'm the one case they viii
differ in the other.
! To be clear. DR.. Plummer IS sOlidlv
7 opposed 10 offering any man any form
/ Of inducement TO enter the university
/ for the purpose of playing football In
( his own words, and he states that at
! least two other regents are with him.
he will "heW to the line for pure ath-
I letics in the university"
The views of the two men, one OF
/ whom. il viii be noted is a member o.
/ the advisory council. the other Of the
/ university board, may be best given in
/ their own words.
The interviews following are IN tine
order i'll which they We're obtained yes
terday afternoon.
Regarding inducements 10 players.
and speaking as Il regent. DR.. Plummer
| said:
Il want all the nOtoriety and prom
I inence possible given 10 the fact that
1 the board Of regents VIII not tolerate
professionalism in University of Utah
( athletics. I am opposed. and have been
I opposed for year 10 the idea that beef
/ and Drawn should he paid for coming
10 a university and joining the football
| eleven. ] favor getting back to
the old-fashioned methods OF al
lowing athletes to enjoy vari
Gus sports while I'm college
Through natural selection. Ne man. fa
by opinion. should be allowed on . foot
| Continued on Page s.