The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-20
BOTH MAKE
 CONCESSIONS Alabama and Auburn Will Play. THE CONTROVERSY IS ENDED Auburn Offers Any One of Four
 Dates. Alabama Was Generous in ConcedinE Two of the Thres Disputed Points Auburn Going Half Way
 sTakes other Con-
 sessions.

Auburn and Alabama. after. all. will In all probability play their usual an- nuai footbal game. aotwitlssardins the differences of the year. which seem to have forbidden the game Mutual con- sessions have been made and if let ter written yesterday by Thomas Bragg, Manager for Auburn atheltics. Is re- ceived by the Alabama authorities in the spirit In which 1t is written. as 1t no doubt win be the annual game will be played during the fall to the pleas ure and gratlfcation of the alumni of both colleges.
 Present indications point to a bridg- ing of the breach of the year between the University of Alabama and Auburn and after all it seems they will play their usual game. The alumni of the institutions throughout the State have been deeply interested in the matter and have worked hard to bring the two big teams together.
 The three main questions. the first of which was Auburn insisting on an eastern umpire, to which the Univer- sity objected. has been conceded, in effect. and anxious to bridge the diff ference, the University has conceded to Auburn two contested points namely, squad of twenty-two men. from Au- burn at the game, and expenses of S3.50 a day for them. These three points the main differences. having been set- tied. 1t seems there will be a game af- ter all. Dr. J. H. Pollard, of Tusca- loosa. appeared before the arbitration committee in Birmingham, and an- nounced that the University would con- cede the points demanded by Auburn. and Manager Tom Bragg of Auburn has notified the committee that Auburn will eoncede the matter of the eastern um- pire. provided the umpire is selected by unbiased and impartial committee. This letter of Manager Brass's twas sent yesterday.
 Auburn. 1t seems, in the hope of get ting the big State game, has held Mo- veail CT 14 open as a date. believing the teams could get together. but to in. sure a game has announced that they will break one of three of their other dates to play Tuscaloosa.
 The story of the Georgia Tech-Ath- ems wrangle is too well remembered to need repeating in this connection.
 Although exonerateds by the investi- gating committee. Tech still was In bad repute and just escaped expulsion from the association by the skin of It's teeth. The pleasant part of the situa- l tion for Alabama people Is that the two chief colleges of this State were never even mentioned with suspicion. the teams being composed absolutely of bona fide college undergraduates.
 The result of the meeting in Birm- ingham and the subsequent correspond ence, puts the matter practically up to the State University, Auburn has granted the main point of difference, and certainly the University could not hold out on the points made by The practical men. Auburn Is more han anxious for the game. and 1t would seem very peculiar now for them not to ara fnCAfhar tai hA H,sa loosa team still objected. or refused to take one of four dates.
 Now that the concessions have been made by both sides. 1t is hoped both by the alumni and by the public of Alabama that there will be no talk tf professionalism. affecting either college. A new day has dawned In college ath- = letics in the South. The public as we'll as the alumni of the Southern colleges are demanding fairness and squareness in college athletics. To the mind of the public college athletics must be fix Caesars wife, above suspicion. There has been in the past two much talk of "ineligibility" and professionalism and for the interest of fair sport 1t is hoped that since the two Alabama colleses have practically adjusted the differ ences separating them there will he no more talk of tlts kind aul if such charges are made the Alabama colleges Snould De m position to ebtau4iSn d clean bill of health.
 Both colleges in the negotiations have shown a fair and equitable spirit Ala bama by making the first concession and Auburn by meeting that conces- sion. The offer of Auburn to give Ala bama any one of four dates seems to be fair. It is announced that Auburn does not play football after Thnksgiv- ing Day. The trustees have decided q foothall season lasting until Thanks giving season is long enough for the college. Between the opening of the season and Thanksgiving Auburn offers any one of four dates and no doubt Alabama will agree to one of these dates. Atspresent the only one of these dates open iS that of November 14. but Auburn offers to cancel any ore of three other dates made with other col- leges for Alabama's benefit. This in effect Is q declaration by Auburn that it would prefer game with Alabama to any other college.