Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-11
Bates AND COLBY.
Lewiston College Issues
a Lengthy Statement
Explains Why 1910 Football
Game Is |nexpedient.
History Of the Dispute Over Date
Of Bates Colby Contest.

ing statement in regard to the decision
upon the Colby game:
Lewiston, Me-, Nov. 10, 1910.
Owing to the misunderstanding
which has. arisen in the recent con-
troversy between Colby and Bates it
seems advisable to make statement
of facts regarding the situation
The inability of Colby and Bates to
arrange football game dates back to
January, 1910, when, at a meeting of
Maine football managers with the eX
ception Of BOwdOin, Colby declared
herself dissatisfied with former foot
ball schedules. stating that~at least
one Of her games had been annually
used as a practice game for the other
Maine colleges. and asked that such a
Encouragement of schedules be made
as would place her on an equal foot
ing with other colleges.
The Colby manager presented ro-
tating schedule ide;, for discussion.
The rotating schedule involved the an
nual use of three successive Satur-
days, college taking each date in
succession for example, in 1910 Bow
dom Bates. Oct. %; in 1911, Bowdoin-
Bates game on Oct. 80; in 1912, Bow
DOM Bates game Nov. Z. The dates
suggested in this rotation plan for the
Maine 1910 series were Oct 20. Nov. 5.
Nov -. The BateS manager immedi-
ately stated that he had already ar
ranged game with Tufts for Nov. II.
This game was arranged by contract
in the spring of 1909 and the date fin
ally fixed in December, 1909. The
Bates manager made no objection to
the rotation schedule idea as a prin
clple, but declared himself opposed to
the plan for 1910, if it involved his
Tufts-Bates date. Manager Cole urged
a encouragement of the Tufts Bates
date, so that the rotating plan could
be adopted.
Before the conclusion of the meeting
the Bates manager arranged a tenta
tive date with Maine, Oct. >. also Of
fered oct. % to Colby and asked Man
ager Cole to reservea the date until
matters could be adjusted; as this was
the latest possible date, since Bowdoin
mad tentatively accepted Nov. Is.
IL may be well to state here that
Manager Mathews did attempt to re-
arrange with Tufts and failed the
Bates manager extending the courtesy
Of forwarding Tufts correspondence to
Colby to ensure satisfaction
The advisability of adopting rotat-
ing schedule was brought before the
Maine intercollegiate Athletic Board
at meeting held in Boston Feb. T.
1910. While on this discussion the prin-
ciplc of rotating schedule was APP
proved and recommended by vote to
the various athletic associations of the
respe ctive colleges. 1t was the unani-
nous opinion o. the board that THIS
rotating schedule should not go into
effect until the fall of 1911. because of
the TUFTS Bates game of Nov. II. 1910.
Feb. l9, at second meeting of TIL"
Main" managers, with the exception of
Bates. the rotation scheme was fur
Their discussed and Notwithstanding the
fact that Bates had asked for the rec
ervatiOn of Oct % until difficulties
were adjusted. Colby reported that
Oct - had been scheduled with Holy
Cross.
The Bates manager, after comforting
with tn" Bates committee on athletics
anu waiting IttSbHdDlt iCHSln Oh
time for the adjustment of difficulties
completed his schedule as published
reserving oct. - for the Colby Bates
game
At the second meeting of the Maine
Intercollegiate Athletic Board May %.
including alumni. faculty and student
representatives from Maine. Colby an-
Bates. the schedule difficulty was dis
cuSScd and it was the concenSus of
opinoin that the Bates manager was
not at fault and that Colby should re-
arrange for Oct % if she desired to
play Bates.
Since this time. Colby has offered
Bates several dates all of which We're
impracticabe. For example. on Sept
IT,. 1916, Manager Cole suggested as
feasible dates oct. l. a date three days
after the Harvard game; also Oct Is.
the date of the New Hampshire State
Rates game. Manager Mathews refused
Oct. !. hut did request New Hampshire
to change dates. which was refused
Oct. 2, Colby suggested Wednesday,
Oct 10. Manager Mathews, confering
with the Bates committee on athlet-
les at its first regular weekly meeting
after the receipt of the letter, accept
ed the date and so notified Colby The
acceptance of this date was received
by Colby Oct. - seven days before
the proposed date. and Manager Cole
telegraphed in reply without consult
ing his football faculty advisor: TOO
late to try for game Wednesday" A
letter following the telegram states:
"NOw we have two dates more to sug-
gest AND if YOU don't care to Consider
them, why we can't hope to play our
game this season. The first date is
Nov. 10 and the second is Nov 49, The
fact that Bates was scheduled to play
Bowdoin Nov Il and Tufts Nov II
made the above dates impracticable
Manager Mathews was instructed to
reply that Bates did not care to con-
slider the proposed dates From the
above data. the Bates management as
sumed that the matter was finally set
tied.
Immediately following the defeat of
Colby by Bowdoin and the victory Of
Bates over Maine, in fact. that same
evening, the Colby manager called up
Mgr, Mathews by telephone and again
requested that a date be considered The
Rates manager was instructed to reply
fbat bad oban ~