Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-24

rope, Il seems. We have played what
might be called our last trump in the
proposition to organize the four leading
foot ball colleges into a more friendly
group. II this fails nothing else can be
done 50 far as we are concerned. Three
weeks ago the question of Chicago
Michigan game was up to our senate for
consideration. 1t was declared that Michi-
gan was willing to resume relations II
Chicago was. Chicago han acted favor
ably and now II is up to Michigan. 1 do
not see how Michigan with any degree of
grace can refuse to enter the compact
I'VE have only one game settled for the
fall. This is with Minnesota, and will be
played at Minneapolis. 1t Is practically
certain that Chicago will not play Wis
consin this year, despite the fact that the
best of relations exists between us and
the Badgers. There If a possibility of
Michigan game, and II this is played It
will undoubtedly be the final game of the
schedule.
Pennsylvania, II Is reported, has placed
us on its schedule for the second Saturday
In November, the game to be played in
Philadelphia. There is nothing settled in
regard to such a game, however, and Mr..
Stagg has not given Pennsylvania the
slightest encoura cement for a game, as the
HShdtC uluSl act on Ine matter D6lOTe ne
can. Even should Mr.. Stage be allowed
TO schedule a game there is much doubt IL
he would grant a date to an eastern school.
1 don't mean this asa slap at any OF our
eastern friends but with a fve-game
schedule there is no great possibility of a
trip east. team coming west might be
different"
Reds idea of Contests.
William T. Reid, jr., the former Harvard
head foot ball coach, has set forth in a
letter his reasons for opposing the idea
Of intra-university sports as against that
of intercollegiate competitions. He writes:
I'm the first place in a college as large as
Harvard, where the interests are so diversi-
fed and the students through the elective
system so scattered. It is hard to see what
would take the place of intercollegiate ath-
letics in giving to the college a spirit Of
unity and fellow feeling. Certainly the
college as a whole could never be brought
together as It is in some of the big meet
ings to arouse enthusiasm at the union,
or In the cheering sections of the field,
or in the observation trains at the boat
race, for a debate between the Agora and
the Forum, for a foot ball game between
the two of the classes or for a boat race
between the Weld and Newell boat clubs
ITO be sure there would be a temporary
interest in such events, but It would not
leave with contestant or with a spectator
the same memories as are left by our pres
ent intercollegiate contests. The whole life
and stimulus Of our sports would be elimi-
mated; the basis for some of the pleasantest
college memories would be destroyed
mo man who has played on a university
team will ever forget his delightful expert
ences at the training table, on the trips and
in the contests, where with his fellow play
ers he has been working TO accomplish a
common purpose, a purpose in which the
entire college, including the graduates was
interested few graduates return for COM
mencement who do not show their feelings
in this way by attending the boat race,
the ball game or some of the class day
functions, and few graduates in the country
do not know on the same day that a Har-
vard- Yale foot ball game is played the re-
suit of that game, even IL the getting of
this information involves a horseback ride
OF ten or fifteen miles, or club arrange
ments whereby a special wire brings the
news direct. On the other hand, no such
general enthusiasm IS shown over a debate
or a class contest.
"If boys four years in college are as
they are supposed to be, the four pleasant
est years of his life, why take from them
one of the sources which yield the pleasant
est memories? Let any graduate who has
ever represented the university ask him
self how he would like to replace all his
athletic experiences with remembrances
Gray's Hall or the race between the Weld