Evening star., 1914-04-19
eran left for the box; otherwise his ma
terial is good


In a single issue of the newspapers of
day we find that University of Penn
sylvania student committed suicide be-
cause, as the inquiry developed, he was
of such an extremely nervous tempera-
ment that repeating the second year s
work as a result of having failed to pass
his examinations drove him to suicidal
despondency.
Not far along in the same column we
find girl of thirteen in public school
tried to take poison because of her dread
OF the examination set for the next day.
One hardly picks up paper today that
does not contain some evidence as to the
tions, or tests, that overemphasize the
theory Of standing or emulation carried
to degree. Were it not for the fact that
some of our greatest educators. even as
far back as 100 years ago, protested
against this method of producing results
in scholarship such startling occurrences
might be passed over, but attention has
been SO many times called to it by its
unfortunate results that it would seem
as II some new device could be adopted,
and here. perhaps. some of the lessons
Of the athletic field might be in order.
Suppose. for instance, the base ball nine
were told that on a certain day any man
who struck out or any man who muffed
to the bench. even the most hardened
nerve of a veteran player would be ma
terially upset, and yet that is very
nearly what We do at times in our edu-
cational field. Here is a quotation from
President Dwight, made in deciding a
debate back in 1872: Emulation I con-
denim. I would get along without it as
far as possible. Appointments are often
given erroneously."
Is there not some way to be devised
whereby the end can be effected with
out this strain on the nerves?
There is report that a deal has been
closed for the erection Of new clubhouse
for the Milwaukee Athletic Club. It is
said that this clubhouse will cost $500. 900.
and be part of group of buildings to be
placed where the Plankinton House now
stands. the structure costing five
given as responsible for promoting this
plan, If verified. would surely make it a
strong one. Harry Payne Whitney is ac-
credited with an interest. as well as Frank
ers of the Cleveland American League
base ball team. Whitney is known as the
successful captain of the polo teams
which defeated the Englishmen. Butter
worth was a famous Yale foot ball back
some years ago and also the citizen who
was most instrumental in the erection of
the new Taft Hotel at New Haven
At Harvard the base ball nine has some
open places to fill, notably that of Young.
caIcners FeltOn, the pltcner, ana IOmeS
and Alsop, inf1elders. However, in Hitch
cock and Fry for the box they have two
men who at times last season gave the
opposing batsmen great deal of trouble.
and Hitchcock'is a cool, calculating pitch
er. That the freshmen of last year will
turn out well Is a question, but Coolidge
and Whitney are good men. To fill up
the backstop position the two most prom
Using candidates are Irwin and Water
man. Ayres will be at first and Clark at
second. while Capt. Wingate will play
short
A novelty comes to US from Chicago
which Is well worthy of imitation. 1t
seems that the presidents Of some twenty
five golf clubs located in or about Chicago
have formed an association for the dis
tinct purpose Of bettering the condition.
moral and physical, of the caddies on the
various courses. Incidentally, this should
certainly operate to the improvement of
the work of these boys on the links; but
it Is not undertaken SO much with that
purpose as to get a human view of the
conditions surrounding these boys and
work for their welfare and uplifting.
A most extraordinary story comes
from out of Indianapolis to the effect
rfo full aoI of