Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-28
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY J, ED GRILLO.

Battling Nels'n was undoubtedly as
popular a champion as the purilistic
game ever produced Even his defeat
at the hands of Wol2ast did not lose him
any of his following and when Owen
Moran put him out the other night there
was nOthing but exp, essions of regret.
Nelson was a fighter who always gave
the public run for its money. His
saneness and ability to take punishment
had much to do with his popularity.
Wolaast, the present titleholder. on the
other hand. does not stand SO well with
he 'cutes what loves MILL and his
latest announcement that he will fight
Moran only If he can name his own terms
and the referee is not going to make him
/ look much better to those who like to see
a champion Show a WillingL ess to defend
his title.
1t is. of course, the privilege of the
demands $l2.JUo win or lose under exist
ing conditions. one might be led to be-
lieve tina, he is none too willing to enter
the ring.
"A fight between Moran and Wolgast
would hardly draw a house large enough
to warrant giving one of the principals
what Woigast demands. He has not had
real tight since he defeated Nelson. and
Tor this reason, more than any other is
not much of drawing card. But VOL
CAST cannot keep out of activity much
longer. He stands none too well now,
and he will be in worse unless he gets
busy.
incidentally there is no reason why
Moran should not be favorite over VOL
CAST when they meet. The Engishman S
victory over Nelson was much more de-
cisive than that scored by Wolgast on
the occasion of his annexing the light
! weight title. What is more, Moran has
been in action right along, while VOL
CAST has been idle. and experience has
taught followers Of the ring that the
fighter who keeps busy is the one who
usually brings home the bacon.
Wolgast's eXorbitant proposition for a
night with Moran makes it appear that he
is none too confident of beating the
foreigner and that he wishes to feather
his nest, even If he should be beaten.
Foot ball experts tell us that the new
rules have decreased the number of in
juries. but that they are far from salts
factory. principally because the runner
cannot be given assistance. It was to this
assistance that the several fatalities on
the gridiron last season were attributed
and 1t was to lessen the element Of dan
ger that the new rules provided against
such assistance being given. We were led
10 DeileEc tndt the OBJECT or the rules
committee was to so change the code as
to prevent the numerous accidents. This
seems to have been accomplished. At
least the season just closed was not marred
with the numerous injuries that were the
several seasons preceding it. So it would
seem that the rules committee did its
work we'll. The claim that the game
under the present rules is not as pleasing
to the spectators as formerly does no;
appear to be based on facts. The at.
tendance at the games this year was JUS,
as good as heretofore. Those dissatisfied
with the present rules are perhaps only
that element which wants to see goodly
portion of the PLAYERS in every game
carried from the field on stretchers.
Considering the fact that this was the
first season that the present rules were
in vogue. the game did not suffer to any
extent and there are reasons for be-
lieving that .as the players become more
familiar with the object Of the new sys-
tenn of play the game will be just as
popular with its followers as ever be-
fore.
| II. Addington Bruce, a contributor to
/ The Outlook. makes the assertion that
| foot ball is the most popular of outdoor
/ sports.
| H. Addington says: There can be nc
doubt that, excluding the game common
! to childhood. foot ball Is far and away
/ the most popular of outdoor sports. Nc
other is played by so many people. and