The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-24

ciaity, because Of the danger to spec
JatorS, has many points to commend IL.
On the other hand, those interested
IN the history of sports will regret the
proposed passing of this-one Of the
Oldest OF competitions. IL was originally
called throwing the sledge," and, as
ITS name Suggests, arose out of tests
or strength Of villagers to see who could
hurl the heavy sledge hammer of the
smith the fGrthest. 1t is mentioned in
English, s. otch, and Welsh chronicles
or the thirteenth century or whereabouts
and was regular feature OF the ath-
leuc programs, which We're held among
the yeomen and men-at-arms as a side
issue 20 their practice with the bow and
arrow on Sundays and other holidays.
Gradually 1t worked its way into sports
as at present organized, and rules We're
laid down prescribing the size of the
hammer, which gradually took the glOb-
ular shape familiar at the present day,
the length and character of the handle
and the amount of running that could
be done before turning the missile
loose. It's frequent mention in the
early chronicles is significant of the
great popularity ii had attained hun
dreds Of years ago. for II bobs up more
frequently than any Of the modern field
and track sports in searching the curl
Gus and Out-Of-the- way books dealing
with the early history Of England.
That the time would come when the
true reformers and deep thinkers with
bullying foreheads and expaEIed ego
tism woulG demand the abolition Of
college cheering at athletic competi-
tons vas the sureSt of bets 1t was a
great p5pGle. Institution which did no
damage and much graft in free adver-
Using AMI DISCRIMINATION posing was
TO be had by those who got in on the
ground floor and tried TO kill it. We are
surprised that the movement did not
come long before this. Everybody
wanted the college cheering, and that
was such a grand excuse for the re-
formers knocking 1t that We are afraid
the professional ants need practice.
Their carelessness should be a great
source of grief to the uplifters and
deserves a real severe Gliding. Yes in
deed it does.
The whole campaign which has re-
Gently been started with such pleasing
results to the campaignsrs IN the way
of cheap publicity smacks so much of
drivel, and swallowing camels while
straining at gnats that we hardly think
the general run OF humans viii give il
serious attention. The claim that the
cheering is done to rattle the other
side is more or less true. Yet these
pure-White souls who are behind the
proposed reform" are constantly get
ting uD ard making long winded, seven
syllabled speeches about the value of
competition IN sporss as a means Of de-
veloping character, and teaching a
youth TO strive toward the goal with
a fixed determination, regardless Of the
SCOTS of the wicked, or the jeers
Of those who cannot comprehend the
said youths exalted mission in life.
For teaching such SteadfaStness OF DUR
pose and indifference to the jibes of
the unrighteous. nothing could be bet
ter than the cheering Of a rival school.
The anti-cheerers should get busy with
Few or the real problems Of this
working day world and stop kidding
themselves by monkeying with minor
details