The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-02
Part of Training.

such an accident would have no effect
or the date already arranged.
Part of Training.
At Annapolis football is not looked
upon wholly as a sport. but as a part
OF the training and a player killed in
the game would De looked upon much
in the same light as a midsIipman who
might lose his life in learning TO swim
DE would be considered as having lost
his life in the line Of duty.
At West Point however. the gloom
caused by the death has been so pro-
nounced that. even had Annapolis asked
a reconsideration OF the matter the au-
thorities would probably have rendered
the same decision,
In Army and Navy circles a refusal
of one branch to agree to a request of
: the other in any matters seldom occurs
and Annapolis willingness TO cancel the
date was simply a matter of courtesy.
Much Disappointment.
The temporary loss of the game IS
a bitter blow TO official Washington.
Army and naval officers generally are
disappointed as are the hosts of foot
ball enthusiasts and others who an
nually made the trip TO Franklin Field
10 see the game
The efforts to fay football in other
parts iinds little support in this city.
AS a rule, the most violent enemies OF
:, the strenuous sport are those who have
never participated in the game. but in
Washington there is an almost unani-
nous opinion among representative edu-
Gators that such lamentable accidents
as the one at West Point Saturday are
simply the fortune, or rather misfortune
7VOf a sport which is considered as one
of the best training methods for young
men
80 Defenders Found.
Representative Of Georgetown. George
Washington, Howard. and the Catholic
universities have come forward as de-
tenders OF manly sport. and their sup
port has been second only to former
players whose feats on the gridiron are
remembered in college in al lsections OF
sti1e country.
- one OF the best known football men In
america is Lee AIcClung. who yesterday
was sworn in IS Treasurer of the United
States When seen this morning, AIr.
NicClung said he had been so engrossed
slH departmental business that he had
lad little opportunity 10 give the Byrne
ease much attention.
while at Exeter and at Yale Mr.. Nc
Gums was one Of the greatest players
Of his day. and since that time has fol-
iowed the game closely.
81 am a friend Of football. and am
a4sturally greatly distressed by the death
81 ycung Byrne. but feel that he was
simply a victim OF a sport that is not
necessarily vicious"
Coaches Not Talking.
Waiter Mccormick, former Dartmouth
player and coach, who is now a special
attorney in the Interstate Commerce
Enmmission, is out OF town, while e
Il Alexander, associate coach at Cor
nell. who is practicing law here, said
tIie. decision at Ithaca had been for
none Of the coaches TO express opinions
On such cases. all such matters being
left 10 the athletic committee.
Pail King, chairman OF the football
beard at Princeton, and IN his days one
s of The grandeSt players who ever wore
F a cleated shoe, feels that the ByTne aC-
ElQELAs coming at ms ttlilEs VIII arouse
the enemies OF football but he has no
E fears for the future Of the sport which
annually draws larger crowds than all
other college sports combined
Before gCing 10 New York for the
F Fordham game, ". n. Newman. Cor
q Tner Cornell center. and now coach at
f. Georgetown. said: i do not think the
death of the West Pointer VIII cause
B anything more than ii passing crusade
against football You have seldom seen
q man who has eVer played football
"a eEs-
g future OF the game IS safe, although
further changes in the rules may help
F. IL along.
SOmmeIs' Views.
". A. Somners. captain Of George
r Washington's greatest team. and now
( an alumni coach, re-eChoed tbe senti-
Inents OF President Needham. He said
Football IS here TO stay. and while
all men who have the interest Of the
game at heart hate 10 see such acct
dents as the one at West Point, never
theless il was an accident, and acct
dents happen in baseball. swimming,
rowing, or any other sport"
Jack Gass. former Behigh end, who
has refereed more games Ia this sec
ton than any other Official, does not be-
LeVe football is ia danger OF being abOl-
1shcd, but Is of the opinion that the
Bsrne death will probably bring about
even more changes ia the rules Wn-n the
commute meets curing the WlHLeEs
HeCOx hopeful.
Clarence Hccox. an old Columbia Ath-
letic Club member. who has been most
E1ccessful IN developing champion teams
sal Technical High school. has lost none
eCI ysis love for tine game.
He says, There is more interest IN
football ia thc schools of Washington
atoday than there Is in baseball rowing.
faeld and track and basketball together
and / feel satisneI that the authorizes
will not bc Influenced by The unfortunate
accident 1t West Point Hundreds OF
-fsoys have played the game since its in
PRODUCTION IN the schools here years ago,
and ] viii be willing 10 wager that il il
;. were left 10 their vote they would vote
70 continue the games under whatever
3 restrictions are put upon il by tie IA
tior8l rules committee.
The above sentiments are repTesen "a
tive of the Opini4ns OF most of the 70 IT.
81 hall neu-piayers, coaches. and OInI-
mar enthusiasts-of Washington.
II seems safe to say that the Byme
death viii have no effect Oh football
here.