New-York tribune., 1906-12-24
LAST FIGHT FOR GAME.
Columbia Preparing Football Peti-
ton TO DR.. Butler.

Tne movement 20 obtain tho restoration or tooc-
ball ut Columbia has taken the form OF petition
IN which attempt is made 70 answer the argu-
ments of those who oppose the game This petit
ton win be circulated by the undergraduates COM
mittee among the alumni several Of whom have
already promised Il their support and signihed
their willingness to aid the students IN obtaining
signatures. When It comes to presenting the Pc
tton to President Butler they win help argue the
matter before him.
In The petition both Of Dr. Buffers objections to
the game are met the first the ground of
roughness. by reference TO the Improvement
der the new rules and the second. on the ground
that football is academic nuisance, BY a pro-
posal to limit the time which students devote
to the game. When the petition Is presented
effort viii be made 10 answer all the other Obiec-
tiUns. To show that Columbis men really want
the game. list OF men physically and academical-
ly qualified who say that they want 20 play the
game will be presented to the president The pe-
uton is follows:
To the President of Columbia University:
We. the undersigned. alumni and some time MEM
bers Of Columbia University. respectfully present
We appreciate that the attitude OF President But
Ter has had a marked influence In leading to the
improvement in the game OF football which has
been brought about, and that II some such stand
as Columbia and Harvard, the evil tendency which
had crept in. instead of being remedied might have
The general opinion on the season Just closed,
that the game mas been distinctly improved Not
only mas 9 me game as played tnis yer PeeR sn
but there has also been a marked absence OF un-
fas. fas tactics possible and D'0'AO' under tbs old
The change seems to be due not only to the new
eral college sentiments and better feeling OF the
by the recent agitation on the subject The play
ers have found the game so much more enjoyable
opinion is in favor of increasing the time OF play
nave NC oua TSa ts gss season IS .Sy9 Sa9 o tb
there has never been so keen an appreciation so
been this year
injuries resulting from the game. particularly In
the larger colleges having properly trained elevens
Would show that the injuries and fatalities in foot
ball during the last year have been less than In
automobillng. polo. hunting. swimming. skating,
coasIing. ETC.. in proportion 70 the numbers en-
An undue amount Of time should not be given 70
university work. We are assured. however. by the
& ana ths undsrgTedHate ~ 21age 6
bia, It would not in any way be allowed 20 inter-
West Point and Annapolis which are absolutely
first class, devote less than two hours day to
should be devoted to outdoor exercises by the aver
age student and should In no way interfere with
The position that athletics holds in the minds Of
ss hs Of 1s
c91nS tba5 n eFef the oS saGO s m 6ns 5ns
Leg , fall fall sport S Of eSs nse is %
This fact and the desire Of many boys to so where
they play the game have very important In
with no football team is practically unmsntiOnsd
and forgotten for six months OF the year.
During the last year there have been a number
Of OF prominent alumni of Columbia, whose
20 to Columbia but who have been dissuaded from
their intention by the fact that there was foot
ball at Columbia These boys were of the very
class who most likely % DO OF service TO the
From the standpoint Of the alumni the football
games IN the past have been source OF keen
pleasure, not only from the mere enjoyment OF
the game. but also from the pleasure OF the re-
unions Men are thus drawn together at umo
when all are actuated by a common feeling OF en-
thusasm loyalty. and old feelings are quickly
rekindled The Graduates Club at New Haven
on the day Of the Yale-Harvard game is an in
spiration. Alumni some from all over the coun-
try, not only because they wish to see the game,
but because in seeing It thew Will meet hundreds
Of old college friends at time when all have q
common interest and enthusiasm Such things
take time to build up. but we had more than be-
ginning at Columbia. The Saturday Of every
game there were constantly Increasing gatherings
OF Columbia men, meeting to attend the game and
to renew college ties and friendships.
The Columbia University Club, whose wonderful
success should be source or pride to every Co
lumbia man, and which Is most valuable ally OF
the university was started at time when football
enthusiasm ran highest In 1901. We think the men
who had most to do with getting II up and achiev-
Ing this success will bear witness that the aWak-
ened college spirit and enthusiasm largely dus TO
football, their greatest aids.
Recognizing very fully the point OF view which
the president and the faculty took IN the stand
they made, the undersigned believing that the
object of that stand and the position Of the pres-
dent and the faculty in regard 70 football has
been justified respectfully ask II the time has
not now arrived 70 allow the restoration OF the
game Of football at Columbia, provided II can be
be devoted TO II and without detrment 20 the work
Of the university