Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-06
.|NTRASCHOOL PLAY
Changes Are Proposed i'm Sys-
tenn of Athletics.
BENEFITS ARE PREDICTED
Elimination of Fierce and Dangerous
Spirit Of Rivalry.
ALL PUPILS TO TAKE PART
Need for Amphitheater Emphasized.
Foot Ball Problem May Be
Solved.
BENEFITS ARE PREDICTED
ALL PUPILS TO TAKE PART

Intrahigh school contests may be largely
substituted for interhigh school contests
II plans now in the minds Of several
| school officials materialixe.
Nearly every one of the leading school
officials believes that intraschool games
will prove much more beneficial than the
interschool games. The foot ball problem,
It is hoped, will eventually be solved by
this plan.
One of the most desirable features of
the plan, the school officials claim, is
that it would largely do away with the
tense and often fierce spirit which is ex-
hibited at interschool gaines, especially
in such games as foot ball, where the
players are in constant bodily contact
with one another.
Supt. Stuart Favors It.
supt. of Schools A. T. Stuart says it
has been his desire for several years to
see intraschool athletics largely take
the place of interschool athletics. One
| Of the main reasons Mr.. Stuart has for
wishing to see a large amphitheater built
here is that students may have a good
| field on which to play their games, es-
pecially games between classes of the
same school.
r. M. Hughes. assistant superintendent
of schools. ews the matter from a
psychological point.
zone Of the chief dangers Of foot ball. -
said Mr. Hughes yesterday, rs personal
contact.
IF two boys of the same school touch
one another. there are no evil results
ferent classes. II a boy of one school
touches a boy of another, 1t is natural
that the second boy should touch him
Jack. 1t is instructive
Mr.. Hughes Is strong advocate OF
intra-school contests. and believes in the
greatest good to the greatest number.
He does not believe in the policy OF
picking a few athletes and expanding all
energy training them when they do not
need It as much as some weaker boy.
Even after the best Of training" said
Mr.. Hughes, IAN interschool contest is q
strain on the boy. The fierce spirt Of
rivalry between the schools urges him
to do his best without regard for HIM
self.
Athletics for the student body in gen.
eral are increasing yearly. Not long ago
high school girls played interschool
basket ball games. Now there is hardly
one a year. and the g rls are much better
off for it,
Benefits for Few.
Each Of the five white high schools in
the district spend large sums of money
~
compete with the teams Of other schools.
Much of this money. It was pointed out.
goes toward the training OF only small
percentage of the boys Of the school. The
ira. ming Of the remainder of the boys is
limited TO the exercise they receive at the
games yelling advertisement to their
team.
Emory Wilson, principal of the Central
High School, and one of the most In
terested educators In the subject OF school
athletics, states that the lack OF intra-
school athletics is one Of the best ar
gur11ents for an amphitheater or athletic
field that could be had
1--WE are paying $40 for the field for
every game of foot ball which is played
by the high school teams. The lmpossi-
bility Of holding interclass events at such
an expense is apparent.
1--WE at Central have not even gym
nasfum In which to hold contests"
There have been in the past many edu-
Gators, Of note who have, while address
ing the high schools pupils. stated the
desrirability of the intra-school instead
Of ihterschool athletics.
|, The athletic league OF the colored
graded schools. which is being formed at
present, is one Of the first steps in this
direction. The more comprehensive sys-
tenn Of having all children join In the
games. instead OF a picked few. will be
one Of the rules emphasized by the
League.
There will be few inter-school con-
tests to arouse enthusiasm. Most atten-
ton will be paid to contests between
pupils Of the same school
A meeting Of the committee on normal
and high schools will be held tomorrow
afternoon. The foot ball situation may
be discussed at this meeting. There will
be no effort made to. stop the game
Tuesday. The members OF the committee
are still compiling information on the
game. as played in this city and else
where. They are not ready at present
to define their position regarding the mat
ter. preferring to remain silent until they
have reached a decision.