The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-17

When Miss IDA NJ DAILY. president Of
the High School Teachers Association.
through The washington Herald on We'd
nesday last, made a strong argument in
favor OF stopping football contests in the
high schools. she called forth immediate
criticism Of her position from the prin-
cipals Of the several high schools. They
did not defend the game in all its phases.
but deprecated any agitation for the
suppression of high school rivalry on the
gridiron.
The deplorable fatality in the Virginia
Georgetown game on Saturday served 10
emphasize Miss Daly's argument and
arouse an intense feeling against the
dangerous sport.
Feeling Deep and Intense.
II parents, instead OF principals. could
control the situation. there is little doubt,
after the appalling chapter Of recent
accidents. that football rivalry in the high
schools would be stopped summarily. So
deep and intense is the feeling, indeed,
that it may take form in a public move
ment 70 put ban upon the dangerous
sport. at least. In Washington.
President Oyster of the board OF educa-
tion. in brief interview printed last sun
day. the day Of young Christians death.
deplored the accident. in common with
everybody else. but Indicated that the
board would probably not feel called upon
10 take action looking to the abandon
ment Of the sport In the high schools. A
formal request for action. however, COM
ing from patrons OF the schools. would
doubtless receive prompt consideration.
Condemned in Mems Club.
At a meeting Of the mems club Of one
OF the large city churches night before
last the killing OF young Christian. the
Virginia player Informally came up. and
the most outspOken sentiment was voiced
that football was too dangerous a sport
10 be further contenanced in the schools.
Samuel z. Stonebraker a well-known
young business man, who was himself
a football player during his high school
days, earnestly supports the position Of
Miss DAILY against inter-high school foot
BAN championship games. In view OF
the many fatalities this and other sea-
sons" he says. lit is difficult to under
stand how any school oficisl or member
OF a school faculty can uphold a game
which sends so many promising young
men TO untimely graves or permanently
Injuries them.
school Authorities Timid.
Il regard football he said in state
ment to The Washington Herald "as a
game absolutely inconsistent with the
principles OF modern civilization. With
in the last week I have been informed
that some of the school authorities hesi-
tate 10 speak their innermost thoughts
and oppose the sport for fear Of losing
popularity with the student body, and
are waiting for the citizens Of Washing
ton to manifest their dsapproval so
strongly that II cannot be resisted. II Is
time. in my opinion. for the public to
act Football should be banished from
the athletic field. The responsibility
should be shifted from the faculties TO
the general public. 1 feel sure that the
principals themselves VIII welcome such
q movement
Coached I'm Foul Play.
LAS a Washington high school boy I
played football with the Eastern High
School team. and participated In cham
pionship games, too. The year I played
Eastern employed a coach who was. per-
haps. one Of the greatest football players
Of his day. am not exaggerating in the
least when l say that he coached the
team in all kinds OF foul play. Our team
happened TO be light, and. appreciating
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