Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-28
HARD BLOW At
HARVARD SPORTS

CAMBRIDGE, November 2S.-"To dis
continue foot ball, basket ball and hockey
at Harvard would do no harm, said Presi-
dent Eliot in an interview last evening.
Basket ball Is very objectionable. 1t
- too rough and there are too many
chances for cheating The rules have
been stretched so that they spoil the game.
It would be good thing to have basket
ball especially discontinued. Rowing and
tennis are the only sports in which hon.
orable play altogether Is practiced. That
IL what said. or intended to say, at
more cheat in those two sports than in q
game OF cards; you would be crowded out
Of society If you tried"
TO base ball there are many objections;
still l would not advocate its discOninu-
ance. because 1t Is 30 popular. Some forms
or track sport are also Objectionable. In
1t there Is too much cheating on record.
Hockey is altogether too rough. It re-
Qutres team work, and must say that
have no use for game that requires that.
1t Is not open enough and. as In basket
ball. Its rules have been distorted.
Il have explained my objection to foot
ball. I know 1t is popular but. as have
said, the university would not suffer par
ticle II there were no more foot ball. La
crosse has not been played at Harvard
long enough for me to express my opin-
ion on its merits.
IT cannot say too much in favor Of row.
Ing. Not only Is there an absence Of
cheating. but 1t Is the most healthful and
interesting as we'll as one Of the two most
honorable sports. Tennis can be played
with profit by any one. All it requires
Is Individual skill and brains. There is no
undermined team work to it,
Thus President Eliot strikingly express
ed himself on every important sport the
first time he has ever committed himself
on all sports in an interview.
His statement that the diScontinuance
Of foot ball would do no harm is the most
radical he has ever made. He has OBJ
jected to intercollegiate foot ball, but
would like to see foot ball, even class
foot ball stopped.
Now that basket ball promises to take
strong hold this winter in Harvard ath-
a great overhauling Of the rules in that
sport. His remark that basket ball causes
too much cheating promises to spring a
big sensation. The future OF base Dali
views. When he finds many objections to
it. as in the case of foot ball, changes are
likely to be demanded.
revolution in Harvards sport seems
imminent, If President Eliot persists In
his opinions. To say that It would be
good thing for Harvard to discontinue
basket ball Is statement that means
great deal
President Eiot's power is enormous; he
stands as the absolute ruler Of Harvard
University. His opinions therefore have
immense weight.
What changes in base ball would you
advise? was asked "Oh, can't bother to
explain them now was the reply: There
are many objections to it, that's all I
care to say just at present
The statement by President Eliot last
Thursday that many dishonorableIe features
prevail in all sports but rowing ana TENNIS
has caused much comment in Harvard
sporting circles. Most Harvard athletes
strongly disagree with him; they call ms
statement too radical and say that ne mas
taken q view too extreme.