Evening star., 1914-07-18
Secretary Garrison in Accord
With Chairman Hays
Resolution.
SUGGESTS PRECAUTION FOR
ARMY-NAVY CONTEST HERE
Would Have Athletic Associations
Give Bond to Restore Polo Field
to Former Condition.

Secretary Garrison has written a letter
to Representative Hay of Virginia, chair
man OF the House committee on military
affairs. heartily approving the resolu-
ton introduced in the House authorizing
the use Of the polo field in Potomac
Park, Immediately west of the railroad
embankment for the annual foot ball
game between the teams Of the military
and naval academies next November The
resolution authorizes the chief OF engin-
eers Of the army to permit the Army and
Navy athletic associations to hold the
game on the polo field designated. under
certain conditions, one of which Is that
after the game the park shall be restored
to its former condition. Secretary Gar
rison has suggested as an additional pre-
csution, that tho resolution be amended
so as to provide that the athletic asso-
Citations be required to give bond for
the complete restoration Of the ground
used for the game.
Concurs in Engineers Views.
In his letter the Secretary of War says
he fully concurs In the views expressed
by Gen. Kingman. chief Of engineers. in
a report on the subject. "Inasmuch as
the foot ball game" says Gen. King
man, '.is to be played under the joint
auspices of the army and navy athletic
associations. 1t is thought best that the
authority Of the chief of engineers IN
the matter should be limited to granting
in question and to requiring proper as
surance that 1t shall be completely re-
stored after the game to its former con-
dition. To accomplish this. it is sus-
gested that the words under such con-
ditions and restrictions as he may deem
necessary found in lines and 5 OF
the resolution. be stricken out, and the
period at the end Of line 5. page 2. shall
Be changed to a comma: and the words
and the chief of engineers shall require
reasonable bond to be given for the
accomplishment Of this result inserted
thereafter AS thus amended, / see no
objection to the favorable consideration
of the bill by Congress SO far as the in
terests Of the United States are con-
cerned.''
Resolution Considered Next Week.
It is expected that the foot ball resolu-
ton will be considered in the House OF
Representatives next week. Unless rad
ically changed from its present form. the
jurisdiction OF the War Department in
the matter will be limited to authorizing
the use of Potomac Park for holding the
game, leaving to the joint athletic asso-
Citations the building and removal of the
necessary stands and other structures
as well as entire management Of the af-
fair, including the issuing of tickets OF
admission, the seating of spectators, to-
gether with all financial responsibilities.
With knowledge born of long experience
in such affairs, the officials Of the War
Department most respectfully decline to
assume any responsibility for the issuing
of invitations or the sale of tickets of
admission even to the extent Of fixing
a maximum limit OF prices that may be
adopted to meet necessary expenditures.
The athletic committees have controlled
these matters in the past when the games
were played on private grounds and the
Secretary of War things 1t best that the
practice should continue despite the play
ing of the game on government terri
tory.