The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-20

Mai. Sylvester IS not in favor OF the
movement to put football under police
censorship. lie embodied his views on
the subject IN brief statement last
night II was as follows:
The plan to place the police In charge Of football
games is not practicable.
Tho police are not football experts and are unfit
ted to DO tho c.nsors u the CANA They are not
trained fo- the wo-k. Members Of tho department
have as much work now as they can propsrl. per
form.
OF course Il IS possible 20 appoint men 20 the
force whose sole duty shan be 70 act At football
games, Tut IN tho past we have beon unable 20 OBJ
tain an appropriation sufficient to employ enough
men to properly police tho District
other views Taken.
The views Of Mai. Sylvester are tho
opposite Of several prominent citizens OF
Washington who were asked II they
thought the proposed police supervision
was practicable. A man who is well
known IN the sporting world said!
II think the only way IN which foot
ball can be played with safety 70 the men
IN the game is 90 put tho games In
charge Of the police. Several years ago
there was n hue and CRY about the brutal
ity Of prize fights. The fstlc encounters
seemed doomed when several cities tried
the method OF putting the police in charge
OF the fights as censors. The plan has
worked 20 perfection
"In San Francisco. Chicago. Philadei-
phia. and Baltimore fights have been
under the supervision OF the police. When
the fights become brutal the police step
In and interfere. The fighters know they
can continue the fight only as long as
they eliminate brutality. and az the pres
ent time it is seldom a fight s. stopped.
II there was a police official M foot
ball game empowered 20 stop the game
the minute II grew brutal the players
themselves would see there was no slug
Eing or underhand tactics. and they
would not allow -thelr eaRerness or en-
thuslasm 90 make them play brutally
FOR fear the game could not be con-
tinued"
A regulation governing the game Of
football and placing Il under the super
vision OF the police was yesterday sug-
Eested 10 Commissioner MaCfaHand By
Corporation Counsel Thomas. The regu-
lauon would state that "the playing Of
football that Is dangerous or Injurious 60
life and health is prohibited. and that
before any game could be played license
must be procured from proper au-
thority
FavOrs Police Rules.
Dr. W. 3. Hudson, the football expert,
who has been in consultation with Com
missioner Aiacfarland. has suggested that
definite regulations be framed by the
police. outlining how the game can be
played IN a safe and sane manner. Dr.
Hudson says the game would not be
dangerous II played IN accordance with
the rules
Or William TindaH. secretary OF the
Board OF Commissioners, who has been O
medical attendant upon many football
fields. said:
For a period OF twelve years one O,
another OF my two sons was IN the game
OF football. and have had an opportu-
I nifty to study the game thoroughly.
4 have treated players at many other
/ games. where the injured ones were par
Elephants not only IN intercollegiate
/ games, but also In those OF the scrul
variety
Purely an Accident.
Tho only fatal injury that I have seer
/ inflicted was that which caused the deatr
/ OF Bahen. OF the Georgetown College
( team. several years ago. and was nea1
enough % be certain It was purely al
/ accident, Just "a was informed was IN,
accident which happened 20 Mr.. Chris
/ tan IN the Virginla-GeorgetoWn gam.
/ last Saturday.
From this I infer that the element Of
! danger IS inherent in the game, and tha
! some change must be made IN tho regu
! lations governing the play 20 avoid t.
| am heartily in favor Of the game. nnC
| would be exceedingly sorry 70 see q
/ stricken from the list OF college sports"