Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-16
MUST INVESTIGATE CHARGES
Nebraska Alumnus Demands Sidney
Collins Be Cleared or Punished.
rANTs CoRNHUsKER ATHLETICS
clyde V. Elliott Declares Facts About
Paying Of Money 20 Foot Ball
Hero Can BE Run Down In
short Time by ClRpp.

the charges against sidney Collins and
either prove that this young athlete actu-
ally did receive money for his services In
foot ball during the season Of nos, as
openly charged last week, or else give him
clean bill.
Collins must not be Lorimerized; IL he Is
guilty he must be revealed, but II he Is
innocent then these persons who have
brought the faint upon his character must
be punished
This communication is addressed TO your
paper because It falls upon the daily press
of Omaha and Lincoln to force the athletic
powers Of the University of Nebraska to
carry out an investigation.
we of the alumni Of the University Of
Nebraska have felt that all is clean in
Cornhusker athletics. With DR.. Clapp In
full swing as athletic director we thought
there was no homeopathic to athletes for
their services. DR.. Clapp has assumed the
position of purity man at Nebraska. II
is he who has run down every little rlmor
about any athlete. 1t is he who barred
McKibben from foot ball because that
young star had played with the Grand
Island professional base ball club.
Most Dangerous of All.
Now, with dangerous charges against
Sidney lCollins-the worst that have been
registered against any athlete since the
day of Johnny Bender-it is the duty Of
Dr. Clapp to push an investigation OF the
Collins charges and clear this athletes
skirts, IL cleared his skirts can be-
The charges against Sidney Collins are
graver than they would be II registered
against any other athlete OF the university
This is true because Sidney has been looked
upon as one of the ideal student athletes OF
the state. He has been looked upon as a
square fellow who would push his fist into
the face of any man who tempted him with
money. Now, II Collins has taken money
for his services at the university his case is
much more shameful than that Of any other
athlete at Nebraska could be.
AS student member of the Nebraska
athletic board during the year 1eos-19Oe,
fought alongside of Sidney for pure ath-
letics. He was looked upon as an example
of the men who should represent the stu
dent body. Now It is charged that he was
paid $3.50 for playing foot ball during that
very season, when he was a member Of the
athletic board and was aiding his esteemed
friend DR.. Clapp to protect the name Of old
Nebraska from the stigma of impure
athletics
II Collins actually did receive money-oh
how can one imagine a case worse that
his. Posed as an example Of honesty in
students athletics, yet receiving money for
his services-the worst offense an athlete
could commit.
But do the students and the alumni who
have known Sidney Collins believe he would
stoop TO such level? No When we were
in school with that young fellow we felt
we were shoulder to shoulder with a man
who was doing right. Most Of the alumni
still believe Collins honest. and II is for
that reason that we wish the bottom pulled
out Of the charges against him.
Collins was a factor In winning from
Kansas last fall on the gridiron He
helped defeat Ames, Ia. and was a big
tower in holding Minnesota to a tie score
in the fall of 1908
II he is guilty of accepting money for
his athletic services, Nebraska owes an
apology to all the schools with whom the
Cornhuskers have competed in foot ball
since Collins was paid thst money.
Disgrace to Nebraska.
Think of old Nebraska bowling its head
in disgrace because one of its best athletes
took tainted coin. Better, far better that
he had never been a member Of one of
the teams II this actually be true Far
better, too. that he had worked during
the summer or used his prowess at base
ball or some other professional sport But
taking money for his services and then
posing as an example Of highest honesty
In college athletics. Oh, II Collins actu-
ally did get the money, we all may ex-
claim. Where has DR.. Clapp been keep
Ing himself" A new man surely must be
placed at the head OF Nebraska athletics
who can prevent the downfall Of our best
athletes Perhaps DIR. Clapp has been too
busy interpreting Missouri Valley con-
ference rules TO the detriment of his own
institution. Get busy, Dr. Clapp, and
watch your own proteges. Get your wash
out earlier In the week, so the neighbors
will not see the dirty skirts"
II might be remarked that II seems
strange Theta NJ Epsilon should be
brought into this Collins matter But Il
Is not strange II this case had gone on
without a mention Of that mysterious
organization, a doctor would have been
Eeeded in several places. II is but natural
that T. ~ f. should be brought into the
affair. Poor old 7. n. E., how many
crimes thou hast Committed!
From facts have gathered am certain
that 7. N. e. learns with surprise of the
Collins charges. II there is any such an or
ganization as T. N. E.. its members really
ought to get busy and take a share of the
rewards. II is blamed for every naughty
thing done at Nebraska do not believe
7. N. z. ever figured in any deal at Ne
braska during the last five or six years.
OF course, as soon as this article is pub
lished, will be accused of being a mem
Der Of that society. II must make T. N.
f. laugh when such occurs.
But run away from the course.
Whether T. n. f. is in this deal or not q
know it is noO, IT is up to DR.. Clapp, as
head Of indoor athletics, to push the In
vestigation of the Collins charges
Not Fair to DIR. Lees.
DR.. James T. Lees was kept from going
on the athletic board because DR.. Clamp
did not want him there. DR.. Clapp used
Sidney Collins as his tool to influence
members of the faculty 20 keep DR.. Lees
from receiving the appointment to mem
bership. II Collins received money for