New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-17
BY John Elfreth watkins.

dawning-like war promises its
i heroes certain advantages for a
public career,
The gridiron is very coarse sieve, and
II IS only the biggest chunks Of grit that
can stay in-grit Of the hard kind that
scratches deepest on history's lasting
monuments. Built Of such stuff to be-
gin with, and the kind Of body that gives
broad and safe foundation for weighty
things 10 be packed into the convolutions
Of the upper story, your gridiron hero
has the further magnificent advantage
NJ beginning post-collegiate life with
tremendous assets Of publicity prerequi-
site 10 a public career. but ordinarily &C
ouired in later life.
Conspicuous in Congress, the judiciary
and the diplomatic service, high in the
reaucracy-federal, state and munich
ral-and in the front rank of political
forces. striving 10 remould the destinies
NJ the nation, are former wearers of the
rnoleskin and Founders Of the pigshn.
The most recent Of these acquisitions
TO our public life is the new Senator
from Rhode Island, Henry Frederick
Idppitt, successor Of the famed and po-
tent Aldrich. In his freshman year at
Brown he was made captain Of the var
slty football eleven, and during his en-
tire four years at the Rhode Island uni
versity, until his graduation in 1878,
was its star on the gridiron.
Another pigskin hero, after having as
Secretary of State served as premier OF
the Cabinet, is now American Ambassa-
dor 10 France, and upon him thus rumi-
mates Walter Camp, director Of athletics
AZ Yale and the celebrated authority on
al things football:
Il can remember very we'll the way In
which I regarded Robert Bacon. captain
~ the Harvard team in the fall of 1879
Handsome as an Adonis. big, powerful
and fast, he seemed the ideal hero of
the gridiron."
Thus were the present Senator from
Rhode Island and the present Ambassa-
dor to France gridiron captains at about
the same time, Lippitt afterward going
in for the manufacture of woollens and
Bacon joining the powerful firm of ]. P.
Morgan & Co.
1T would be a satisfaction" further
remarks Walter Camp. ito see those
powerful men Of long ago grouped with
the more recent heroes upon some huge
gridiron-each player at his ripest and
best age-and then pick one eleven after
another. as would a coach, from the en-
tire squad.
But such a wish is vain, for how
might one imagine the respected Treas
urer Of the United States, once the half
back McClung, appearing on the grid
iron in moleskins to-day, although he
could probably still carry off the part.
He did it at the time Of the bicentennial
at New Haven, in a game against the
second varsity eleven, with all his old.
time dash and speed. And to-day upon
the tennis courts he Is a dangerous COM
petitor for the younger men to engage.
'''For q long time at New Haven the
belief prevailed that Lee Meetings. team
was lile D6Sl lIdl arc CNSA RiONNNON~
And Mr. Camp adds that this team Of
the present Treasurer OF the United
States stands probably unequalled in in
dvidual brilliancy, individual indepen-
dence and football initiative"
What largely made Meetings. VIC
torious team of '91 famous was its
favorite "twenty-thirty" play. with Nc
Chung carrying the ball. and in sue
cession Of seven or eight plays his act
ual average was nineteen and frac-
ton yards 10 the run, while his possible
average was nearer twenty-four yards,
Tor two Of these runs carried the ball
over the goal line.
And have it on the authority Of Mr.,
Camp that Meetings. team was never
scored upon by any opponent, and ran
up 4SS points in thirteen games-an av-
orage Of 80 to the game
Tie new Assistant Attorney General
Of the United States, William II. Lewis.
whose recent appointment was Of inter-
est because he is Of negro blood, played
three years as centre rush at Amherst,
where he became captain Of the varsity
eleven, and later played two years in
the same position at Harvard, becoming
the most noted centre rush that uni
Nares.,, Ena,v coached for two