Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-19
BIG FOUR
IGNORE TRUST
EASTERN SCHOOLS DECLINE GOV
EMINENT BY |. C. A. A.
Yale, Princeton, Harvard and Cornell
Refuse to Take Dictation from
the United Board of
Control

Measured by its inability to secure the
membership of Yale, Princeton, Cornell
and Harvard, the newly formed Inter
collegiate Athletic association of the
United States may seem not to have been
the great success predicted for it. AT its
second annual convention a week ago the
association reported that the membership
had been about doubled, but the Univers-
ity of Pennsylvania is the only member
of the big five which has Joined.
But this is not fair test by which to
determine whether or not the new body is
a success. It is true that the refusal or
failure of these institutions to be en-
rolled was a disappointment, but the as
ISOLATION is on the right track and the
universities which now completely ignore
the |. c. A. A. u. s. will, before many
wears. be the seekers for membership in
stead of the sought.
The association showed its great
strength two years ago, when 1t virtually
forced the old intercollegiate football
rules committee to seek consolidation
and subsequently dictated the most I'M
uortant reforms in football. The asso-
citation still maintains its mastery OF the
football rules situation, and IL IL oeslreu
could practically force the big UNIVERSE
ties of the cast into membership but
politic men are at its head and they pre-
fer rather to lead than to drive the re-
naming big universities into line
Hope That Yale Will Join
AS a matter of fact, it is altogether
likely that Yale will join the association
within the coming year. The ELS atm
letic authorities have expressed them
selves as in thorough sympathy win tne
aims of the association and nave peeh
waiting only the return OF Presloeht diao-
lev from Europe before taking definite
action. Cornell is lowering between two
opinions. but will undoubtedly be taken
into the fold All the association now
wants is to secure the membership OF TWO
more institutions like Yale and Cornell
and then, with Pennsylvania already
member, the association VIII let any o'her
colleges continue in their Indifference
with this strength there would be no
,aed for two football committees. and
probably the new body would pay no at
tention TO the remnants of the old COM
,nittee. This course would be drastic
enough to bring practically the entire
intercollegiate world into the one BODY
In addition to their virtual control OF
football, the new association is taklils
hand in basketball, for which all coiiese
fanIllIfGS
At this meeting arrangements were per
fected for making the rules committee OF
the intercollegiate Basketball associatloh
the representative body OF l. Z. a. a. u
All that remains now for completing
this ARRANGEMENT permanently is vote
of approval by the basketball assoclauon'
and this is almost certain to result
A. A. U. DIsquaIifying College Men
7. 10 extremely unfortunate that this
YEAR should see a recurrence OF suspeh-
sion of college basketball teams for play
ing suspended or non-registered teaihs'
To date Princeton, Yale, George Washlils-
ton and Trinity colleges have peen mus
n,,nished bv the A. A. u, and all the
taars thew have played since their sus-
nension are liable to the same result
president James e. Sullivan. in recent IN
terviews. has accused the colleges or I'M
fairness toward amateur athletics, ana 10
This attributes the frequent suspension Oh
college teams. -. y,
AS a matter of fact. the college men 40
not care "A snap of the finger Tor the a
A. u. disqualificauons III pashetooii'
And for this condition the A. A. u. mas no
ono IN blame but itself. The A. A. Z. is
Years behind the times in basketball, and
does not begin TO exercise the control or
good sense that characterizes 1t III track
and field athletics.
The fact that the college men have been
Obliged to discard the a. A. U. game OF
basketball and substitute one of their
own Indicates the A. A. u. is so unpopu-
lar in basketball. If the A. A u. cannot
nrovide a suitable game for those anna
tours who want to play basketball, 1t
ought not to expect any support from them.
The collegians always get INTO trouble
with the A. A. u. during their pre- i'm
| mary season, when, In order to make up
a good schedule they play some teams
that are not registered with the a. A U.
and suspensions follow
Harmony Is Necessary
There is no good reason for the lack OF
| harmony that prevails between the A A.
| II. and the colleges. The latter pay little
| or no attention to the suspensions, any
| how. and the A. A. U. merely makes
! itself a laughing sock. Now, if this body
would enter into some sort of an agree
ment with the Intercollegiate Basketball
| association much of tle trouble would
| be obviated But If the two continue to
move along in parallel lines these troubles
| will only multiply
The l. C. a. A. u S. has made an effort
| to bring some sort of order out OF all this
chaos by passing a resolution to the effect
| that all the colleges in the association
! observe the amateur rules and regula-
lions of the A. A. u. in their regulations
! II is all very well to endeavor to bring
about harmony, but the association
should insist that the A. A. U. basketball
solons get together and reform their
game so that the athletic cubs are not
! tempted to leave the A. A. u for game
which they can play The A. A. u, by its
dictatorial attitude in basketball matters,
is widening instea' of closing the breach.
! If the difficulties are to be patched up at
all it is evident that the initiative must
be taken by the collegians and not the
| A. A. U. The latter body has shown
itself incapable of dealing with this phase
| Of the trouble.