The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-07
TRIAL MOMENT
 NOW AT HAND $. L A. A. Will Be Put
 to Test.
 MUST GET BUSY OR ABDIcATE Executive Committee to Meet in Knoxville Friday Will Probe. Subject Win Re the Disputed Football Team of l.. S. U.--Charges Are
 Known to Have Been

Never since it's organization has the Southern Intercollegiate Association been charged with such responsibility as will be thrown upon the shoulders of those attending the annual meeting in Knoxville next Friday. In the opin- lon of many its very existence de- bends upon it's action at this critical time.
 Already there is murmur of dis content at A lack of firmness In this otherwise great body of men. Now the members must show their hands or forever release their hold on the confidence of the majority of institn- tions composing the association. If the highest tribunal for passing on the ell igibility of one of its members would wink at a violation of the rules which are the basis of the organization then the keystone in the great structure which was carefully builded must faIl and with 1t the edifce.
 Undoubtedly there has been publish ed evidence tending to show that the football team which represented Lou isiana State University the past two seasons were composed of men who were not eligible. Even if there was not positive testimony to this fact cer tain commonly known circumstantial evidence exists which throws a cloud of suspicion around no less than half the team.
 Now L. S. U. is a member of the S I. A. A. For many years 1t was one of the chief champions of clean athletics in the South. Not only did the authorities of that college ciamor for clean sports but they went about proving their sincerity. They once ad. hered strictly to the rule that men who compose the athletic squads should be not men who are brought to the col. lege for that purpose and with mono tary inducements but those who, once matriculated. prove incidentally that they are capable to do battle in foot ball, baseball, or what not
 But seemingly times have changed with L. $. U. There has apparently been a shift in the attitude of those responsible for clean business on the field. Grave charges have been drawn against the eleven representing that college and have been pressed in the print. That, however, is no place to give the eleven its final and impartial trial. There Is tribunal for the pur- pose. It is the executive committee of the S. L A. A. and surely that body of men must feel the imperative ne- eessity of acting in this matter. It Is their own salvation,sit is the saliva ton of the organization and 1t is the sustaining power of pure athletics in the South.
 L. S. U. is a member of the s. l. A A. No one denies that. Can, there fore, the committee ignore the case as | have been presented. One college at least is making complaint before the committee and therefore 1t cannot be said that there was no opportunity l to probe into the character of the L.. 1 s. N. eleven. President Boyd, of that 1 college, himself has invited an inYesti- gatlon. 1t Is time for action and # cannot be avoided.
 Will the s. I. A. A. embrace this op- portunity to perpetuate itself? Will 1t in all seriousness dig to the bottom Of the affair? Or will it make food for the disaffected element of the body and adopt policy of inaction? The handwriting Is on the wall It is the moment of trial. ~N
 naww.NaRaal