Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-06
STIR OVER INTERVIEW
Criticism Of Basketball Crowd
Arouses Indignation.
OFFICER DENIES CHARGE
Policeman Cunningham Says He Was
Not Drunk and That He VIII swes:
Out Warrant Against Physical In
structor King for Falsely Accusing

Indignation is felt among the two
han4ged Hampton folk who attended
the basketball game in the Young
Mems CHI istian Association Tuesday,
over the interview published in the
Daily Press Of yesterday, in which
Physical Director King, OI the New
poIt News Association. severely c.i-
t.clsed the audience. Most OF those
present declare that the statements
made ty Mr.. King. are gfatiIious IN
salts, and il is regarded as PRACTICAL
~ certain that all athletic relations
will be Gale d OF with the Newport
News association as long as Mr..
King remains as the physical director.
Police Ofhcer John w. Cunning
nam. termed the town cop by Mr..
King, yesterday declared that Mr..
Kings statement to the effect that
he was drunk was absolutely
false. Il had not had drink Tues
day night said MIR. Cunningham.
aud / also wish to deny that 1 used
any profane language When King
gave his decision against Hampton |
did call him Tobber,' and also in
formed him that had respect for the
association or else would make my
language more pointed. AT this time
Mr. Flanders, the physical director
in the Hampton association, came up
and said he did not care 10 have any
trouble il the association and told
me to desist | did as Mr.. Flanders
| Nnlt I
was not drunk. nor drinking. and that
| never used any profanity, as is
charged against me by Mr. King"
Mr.. Cunningham was not on duty
and simply went to the association 10
see the basketball game
Mr.. Cunningham is borne out in his
statement that he was not drunk by
Secretary ChaIes Heffel5nser Mr..
Flanders, officer Crrtis and probably
twenty other persons. He has asked
that Mr.. King be made TO prove his
charge and has retained Attorney Fay
s. Collier 10 represent MIN in any acr
ton that may follow the interview.
A man. well known in Newport
News, is said to have caused much
of the bowling and kissing, and it is
further declared that this man was
so ashamed of his conduct that he
apologized &c Secretary HeffelfinSer
and Physical Director Flanders at the
end OF the game. During the first
half the tall was thrown into the gal
lery, end this Newport News man de-
IIberately pitched it back to the New
port News players. This act brought
forth severe criticisms from those
watching the contest. At another
point one of the Newport News play
ers deliberately kicked the bail. but
this act was passed unnoticed
by Mr.. King
Much Feeling Caused.
As the audience was composed Of
many of the best people in Hampton
the action of Mr.. King is termins the
crowd the most -uDgentlemanly and
most unsportsmanlike," has caused
no end of feeling here 1t is stated
that Mr. King found it necessary 10
penalize the Hampton nine several
times on fouls. while he never saw
foul made by the Newport News
team.
This affair will be aired. Is Mayor
Thornton F. Jones has been asked 10
hold an Investigation, and Officer Cum
bingham says that he will today
swear out warrant against King
charging him with falsely accusely
the Officer of being drink.
II was said last night that a meet
ing of the board OF directors OF the
, Hampton association has been called
for tonight. when Mr.. Kings inter-
view will be discussed. The dir c
tors are exrected 10 request Mr.. King
to state his grievances more fully
The officials Of the association are
mich chsgrined over the action Of