The Washington times., 1912-02-12

the game and will enforce the rules
instantly and without fear or favor.
1t may be mentioned in passing that
the cost of officials alone in an i'm
portant game in football is as much
as the entire cost OF umpire. guar
antee and advertising of the most eX-
pensive game Of baseball played in
any season A few sporadic attempts
nave been made to maintain profess
sional football teams. 1t was quickly
demonstrated that the game is unfit
for play by those who are not re-
sponsible for their conduct in some
to the law OF the land. Contrast this
experience with the thousands of
football clubs, both amateur and pro-
fessional, in England and Scotland.
Insidious Graft.
~. Difficulty of keeping the game
free from professionalism.
Another count which may be brought
against football is that It furnishes Il
soil for the growth of an insidicus form
of graft. This Is due in a great meas
ure to the great demand which the
game creates for players Of the proper
physical development and the limited
supply OF those who can satisfy the re-
qu!rements. Recently there have ap-
peared in the newspapers vigorous de-
mails by some one speaking for one of
the big Eastern universities that any
students in that institution are receiv-
ing assistance becau use of their athletic
ability either from the athletic asso-
citation or from any association of the
alumni. doubtless the treasurer's
books of alurcni associations will be
found clear of any entries for that pur-
pose, hut Uhen such an emphatic denial
Is mace that any aid has been Eiver
students on the defended team because
Of athletic ability one would like tc
know what the boys in come OF the pre-.
paratory schools think of such a state,
ment. If those who really think tha,
| promising athletic students in the sec
| ondary schools are never given induce
mcnts by souIc one Interested in certair
| institutions they should make an inves
| ugation and furnish some explanation
other than the obvious me why tn,
most promising athletes. irrespective ,
the larger institutions. provided, q
COURSE that they can satisfy the en-
| trance requirements
Innocent Act.
at seems at first sight to be an limo
cent act for an enthusiastic supporte
of college to take such an interest 4
a young man who is In very moderat
circumstances and who has Just grad
udltu lllBil SCnOOl as TO sen
him to his own college. Conmendablt
possibly, is the confidence which h
shows in the worth of the young ma
by sending him to a preparatory schoC
for two years after he has failed t
pass the entrance examinations to tn
college. Generous also to assume tn
young mans expenses for the four year
Of his college course after he has sue
Ceded at last in meeting the entranC
requirements. Aid may be given, IL
deed has often been given. because tn
benefRctor sees intellectual promise c
a high order in a young man. But tn
impelling motive in the case Of assist
ance cited, not altogether an imaginar
one, was evidently not a desire to re.
cue some otherwise mute inglorious Mi
ton from oblivion.
When, however, IT is noted that tn
student in question was the best athlet
in his preparatory school and CAV
promise of winning glory for his CO
lege on the football field, another fac
of things was seen, Some see nothin
to condemn in this practice. Neithe
. do they see anything to critictss In II