New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-28
COLLEGE FENCING PLANS.
Proposal to Reduce Number of
Bouts an Tournaments.

The directors OF the Intercollegiate Fencing Asso-
ciation are trying 10 come 10 some agreement
whereby the number OF bouts at the intercollegiate
tournament can be cut down Although the ques-
ton has been under discussion for more than three
years il is not until lately that affairs have come
20 such state as 20 make action necessary, The
recent addition OF Princeton TO the association has
made it imperative that some steps be taken TO
make the contest less cumbersome
Under the present system each university IN the
association sends three men 10 compete IN the
tournament Each OF these men meets every other
man AS a result there have been in previous con-
tests over hundred and fifty bouts to be decid-
ed The addition Of Princeton 10 the association
will add fifty bouts 10 the tournament making
In all over two hundred This, it Is believed is
entirely TOO many.
Even in past years IT has taken the greater part
OF two days 10 complete the tournament AS a
result 1t has become difficult to obtain amateur
Judges who are willing 70 sacrifice the time and
energy necessary TO pick so many winners Be
sides this the tournament has become wearisone to
the spectators. and 10 the men themselves
who have had 20 fight eighteen bouts apiece with
the greater part Of them in one day. The addition
Of Princeton 10 the league will make the number
OF bouts 70 be fought by each twenty-one.
There have been several solutions proposed 10
remedy the problem One OF them is 70 hold a
series OF elimination bouts in which each man de-
feated ell drop out OF the contest This plan.
however has a large number OF opponents, who
say It Is unfair high class fencer may lose
II IS allowed 70 continue, later distinguish
himself.
Another solution OF the question that has been
proposed IS 10 form Two leagues from the present
association each 10 hold it's own tournament 20 de-
eide its champion II is proposed then that the
winners Of the two tournaments shall meet TO de-
eide the intercollegiate championship. This IS the
plan favored by many. Some believe that logical
division would be 20 form one league OF Harvard,
Cornell and Columbia which recently withdrew
from the association, and. with the Massachusetts
Institute OF TechnoloFv, form the Interuntverstty
Fencing Association. The three Withdrawing col
leges were later readnitted upon their own appli-
cation, 10 the older organization, but the
league stu exists. and will hold a tournament this
spring. AS a consequence, Cornell. Harvard and
Columbia VIII take part in two championship
meets. Besides these three universities. the other
members OF the Intercollegiate Fencing Association
are Pennsylvania. Yale, Annapolis and West Point
The intercollegiate meet will take place this year
on March Is and L. IN the week before this the
interuniversity championship will be decided.
The resignation OF Captain Sage of the Columbia
team. because Columbia decided 70 60 back into
the inter eglaJe league. has not yet been &c
copied. Members of the Columbia Fencing Asso-
elaIon are making EFFORTS 70 persuade him to
ttalL- re NtelLgy II lle intercollegiate champion
persists IN his decision. Q. q Amend. 'O8 s.. will
probably be the new captain OF the Columbia team
includes seven meets. on February IS there viii he
q q I.aIlg uIar meet al Boston between Columbia,
harvard ana the Massachusetts Institute Of Tech
nolog}. and on the next dav Columbia will
TIE Springfield Training school at Springfield. on
'l oeL , - OCCURS '1luNllhs only home meet.
when Yale and Princeton viii be the opponents OF
ne Hlue ana W mite on March Columbia Will
.I.' 80 s'i~i,tIs a W eht folill ana on March lb
take part In the intercollegiate tournament. I.
range meets with Cornell, Pennsylvania and An
nRpolia Il he succeeds. Columbia will hsve met
dual meets. every member Of the fntercollegfate
and the interuniversity associations.