New-York tribune., 1907-11-26
FOOTBALL At COLUMBIA.
Interclass Games Suddenly Sane
toned n fter Fight 7Cith Faculty.

Interciass football practically restored at
Columbia yesterday, after struggle between Pres
ident Butler and the faculty, side, and the
students on the other that has lasted for two
years. In communication To the board Of stu
dent representatives yesterday DR.. Butler declared
himself In favor OF allowing the game intra-
mural sport at Columbia This statement came as
Il surprise TO the students. because II only
week that one the student fraternity teams that
was practising on South Field was ordered off the
grounds with their football by of the proctors
who said that ne was acting under orders from the
superintendent Of grounds. II is alleged. how
ever that this done without the knowledge OF
the president, and 1t was stated good authority
that DR.. Butler had decided allow the resumption
Of intramural games several weeks ago. but that
he did not want this TO be done until the fall OF
1908.
The letter sent 10 the board of student rep
resentatives. who had requested that the president
make known the exact status Of football in the
university. In part II is follows;
Referring to your questions as TO the present
status Of the majority and minority reports deal
ing with the subject of football. submitted under
date Of MAY 10 and May Ii last. and printed
university document under date of June 49, 1907,
and to the relation OF these reports to the possi-
bility of nterclass football here at Columbia,
only say that II is open TO any students interested
In the matter to make formal application TO the
committee student organization for the author
ity to organize for the purpose of carrying such
interclass games. l Judge from the reports them
selves and from the personal expressions attached
TO the majority report by three of the four signers
that probably such application would receive
the approval OF the committee on student organiza
tions
MY own view OF tne Vdlue OF lnlerClaSS sports or
kind has often been expressed and is specially
emphasized in my annual report for 1906. Person
ally I have no objection to the students playing
interclass games OF football il they desire, al
though IL would be far more in accord with what
1 believe TO be the best interests of the university
il their attention and interest turned other
games. The matter however. is for the COM
mittee student organizations to deal with in
whatever way they see fit.
AS the question stands. it is up to the COM
mittee student organizations. which, with the
exception of ono member is in favor OF intramuraI
football. In a report of this committee made pub
lie last May, three of the five members said that
they believed that at least games within the uni
versity should be permitted during the fall that
has Just passed Professors Marston Bogert and
James f. Kemp voted for intermural games while
Professor Herbert G.. Lord. the chairman of the
committee favored the resumption OF intercollegiate
opposed to football of any kind Columbia Pro
fessor H. B. Mitchell at that time voted against
the game but yesterday he expressed himself in
favor of intramural football, and promised that he
would do all in his power for the resumption of the
game 1t seems practically certain that any peti-
tion that the students may present Will be acted
upon favorably.
be held this year. the student board declaring that
there is not sufficient time in which the teams NAV
practise before the ground becomes too hard md
that the danger of injury TO the players would be
too great were teams to play without preliminary
training. The first official football game at Column
bia in two years. however. will probably be an in
terdormiory contest between Hartley and living
ston halls. that will take place next Thursday OF
Friday on South Field. A petition for the permis
sion play this game is being drafted and will bs
presented the authorities Tomorrow but will nv
be acted upon until after the Thanksgiving recess