New-York tribune., 1911-01-07

able condition OF harboring professionals
Ito exist. because one member OF the
Board Of Education has dared TO be quoted
publicly in relation to matters concerning
athletics in the public schools.
We always regarded Public School Ath-
leuc League matters as public matters.
anns, sinee the league is P supported by public
| Is peeyed because we did not hide the
TACT that professionals were found com
leting In athletics in certain schools to-
gether with bona fide amateurs / am
GLAD. however, that Mr.. Tilcsley comes out
openly: as IL is the first time that prin-
IpaI has made any statement regarding
hAs ATTITUDE in this matter.
AS Tor myself ! believe that most prn-
Tlpals know that the Public Schools Athletic
~. . mas always tried It's best 10 carry
III atnletics in a wholesome manner, and
sne administrators Of the league have al
WAYS pursued their duties to the best OF
Iheir aollities know that most OF them
spplauu our stand OF disqualifying ineligi-
PIE s'uoents from competition with eligible
ooys, put unfortunately, there are few
PLLhcipdls VINO, seeing an opportunity 10
erao championship In the baseball tour
s nSmen, Dy illegal means, attempted to DO
90 anu are therefore thoroughly displeased
at the action OF the Public Schools Athletic
League In declaring some OF their best
/ players professionals
In conclusion, l want to brand as false
the statement that publicity emanated from
commissioner, who Mr. Tildsley intimates
10 De myself, as untrue. All newspaper
men men kno" tnat the minutes Of every meet
ing were sent TO them Immediately after
the meeting was held. The men who pub
lished the stories about the present wrangle
from day TO day know more about the con-
oltion or anairs relative 10 professionalism
than most OF the members Of the High
School Principals Association. They know
where they got their news regarding the
housecleaning in the league Of ali profes-
stonals, and Mr.. Tildsley or any other per-
son could have received the same news II
ne cared TO take the trouble TO glance at
the minutes Of each meetinS
AS far as | am concerned ] stand abso-
lutely back OF all that / have said in any
interviews granted by me and published as
coming from me.
The records OF the Public Schools Ath-
letc League trials and meetings are all
10 be found at the Board OF Education, IN
which building the meetings were held.
They are open for investigation by all per-
Tildsley will prove TO him that the pub
licity emanated directly from the repre-
sentatives Of the principals, who are mem
bers Of the high schools games committee.
II was they, as records prove. who brought
action against schooiboys for professional
ism. IL was they who disqualified the boys
and asked the Public Schools Athletic
League games committee to confirm the
action they took.
For Mr.. Tndsleys sake I will inform
him that I have conferred with dozens OF
members of the Board of Education and
they all deplore the so-called stand Of the
principals in the controversy. They know
that everything the Public Schools Athletic
League has done has been for the good
OF the schoolboys We endeavor 10 do our
best but are sorry 10 state that certain
principals have not backed us in this mat
ter.
I am amused with the statement Of Mr.
Tildsley. Apparently some people In the
schools system are not anxious 10 take the
public into their confidence. Perhaps we
have therefore been criticised most Sc
vereiy for doing the opposite. II we took
the public into our confidence more often.
as 7 believe we should do, We would he
better off especially In athletics, where
the activities OF the league should always
be considered as public property.
always have invited newspaperrnen 10
come to me for any information ! am able
TO give therr on matters relating 70 ath-
letics WHY should not the public know
that principals who are supposed TO teach
their charges 20 look up with admiration
10 the law, harbored professionals? Does
Mr.. Tidsey want us 10 withhold the fact
that Cfolubier. OF his school, and dozen
Other boys Of other high schools were dis
qualified by the Public Schools Athietic
League for being professionals? II this Is
MS policy, then 7 think, as member OF
the BOARD of Education. we should cease
having athletics in De Witt Clinton High
School g