Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-15
.BETTERpAY ISASKED
Competent Director for High
School Athletics Needed.
PLEA OF Mr.. HETHERINGTON
Advocates General Training for En-
tire Student Body. u
SCORES SPECIAL PRIVILEGE
Objects to Method Of Giving Free
Tuition in Exchange for Prov
ess in Sports.
PLEA OF Mr.. HETHERINGTON
SCORES SPECIAL PRIVILEGE

"A plea IOT SYSTEM OIL dtniotlcS where
by the entire student body of the high
schools of this city could participate I'M
der the specific direction of a competent
director-who, it was claimed, could not
be gotten for the low salary now avail
able for teachers or directors of physical
culture-was made by Clark w. Hether-
ington at a meeting of the Home and
School Association Of the Western High
School, held in the Chamber of Com
merce rooms 1902 F street northwest, last
evening.
Mr.. Hetherington, chairman Of the COM
mittee on amateur law of the Intercol-
legiate Athletic Association Of the United
States and holder Of the Joseph Fels en-
dowment in play and educational athlet-
les, advocated the organization of ath-
letics in the Washington high schools so
that all students may be able to particle
pate in the games and receive benefits,
instead of having q few picked men over
trained. The speaker declared that coll
lege athletes were no less than profess
sional except for the fact that they were
not supposed to receive any stipulated
salary, but they often receive other
recompen1e in the way Of special favors
and privileges" he said. :.
Special Privileges Scored.
College athletes, he declared, were So
cured from high schools and institutions
OF like nature by the offer Of privileges,
free tuition and other things, which
amounted to no less than bribery. The
abolition Of the practice Of inducing
Students to enter the college by the
oner or scholarships, etc, has not, as
Is often believed, been accomplished.
Only q short time ago. said Mr..
Hetherfngton, "a circular was placed in
my hands by q member of high school
which asked the recipient to tell q certain
college names OF the crack athletes Of
his school. and to give information regard
ing their age, the position played on the
team and other pertinent data. The boys
who went to this college to enter ath-i
letics were not given salary or spe-
cfal privileges.
III they made the team, however. and
graduated from the school they were
guarantee positions. Immediately after
they graduated, that would pay them at
least $500 per month";
Whether athletics will do good or evil.
stated the speaker, depends wholly upon
the manner in which they are conducted.
Too often, he said the knowledge man
has OF particular game is sufficient to
qualify him as q coach for boys.
No other teacher could come SO close
to the boys and so influence them in their
morals as the athletic director Or coachs
For this reason the men employed should
have the highest standing in morals and
good judgment, declared Mr.. Hether-
The tendencies to overindulsence In
athletics, the temptation to cheat in
order to win a contest, and the tendency
OF athletes to form an exaggerated opin-
as the saviors Of the schools honor. ali
had to be carefully subdued. It took an;
emcient man to do 1t In the right manner
stated the speaker.
Professionals W. Amateurs. 9
AS far as professionalism in the fields
of sport was concerned, said Mr.. Heth-
erington, he made no objection, for the
public was entitled to whatever amuse.
n1ent it desired, but the public should UNI.
derstand the difference between profess
sion and amateur sports.
The idea Of education should be fore
most in school athletics, instead of the
mere desire OF winning or commercialism.
he said.
The whole problem of athletics de-
Ponds on the selection Of q leader" he
said in conclusion. "All ORGANIZATIONS in
q city which encouraged athletics should
send q representative to central body,
should be decided
Miss Edith Westcott, principal of the
Western High School, said, at the con-
ciusion Of Mr.. Hetherington's address,
that the present salary schedule in the
District. which prevents a teacher of
special subjects under which athletic
training comes. from receiving more than
$500 at the start. and after serving sew
enteen years the teacher can receive a
maximum Of only $3.50, makes it impos-
sfble to secure the kind OF men suggest
ed by Mr.. Hetherington.
She urged the association to carry the
fight for new salary schedule to Com
gress and endeavor to get it through
this session.
Following Miss Westcott, DR.. Willard
8. Small, principal Of the Eastern High
School, declared that q change of the
salary schedule was the most vital need
OF the high schools of this city today.
Special teachers" said DIR. Small.
rs misnomer. Is it right that a
teacher should be paid more to teach
your boy or girl little Latin than a
teacher who teaches your child morals?''
DR.. Small stated that in a converse
ton with DIR. McCurdy, of an institution
In Springfield, Mass, which makes a
speciality Of training directors of physical
culture. he learned that the lowest sal
airy Aeceived by q graduate Of the school
was $1,000. while some of the best
received fteen-hundred-dollar positions
Immediately after graduating.