The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-06
ARMY QUITS DEBATE,
DISGUSTED AT NAVY
Leaves Matter Of Annual Game
in Hands Of Secretary Of
War Garrison.
OFFICIALS LETTER GIVEN

wAsHlNGToN. oct 5.--Rumors to the
athletic associations had settled their
differences over the scene OF the annual
football game between the teams and
agreed upon two games at Philadelphia and
one at New York in tho next three years
were disposed OF tonight with the receipt
of "A telegram by Secretary Garrison from
Col. Townsley. superintendent at West
Point. advising him that all reports 10
that effect were unauthorized.
Until the receipt Of this telegram naval
officers Interested in the athletics of
Annapolis were under the belief that an
arrangement would 30 through and that
the controversy would I've settled for
time at least. This belief arose from in
formal action taken by the athletic officers
OF West Point and Annapolis from which
the impression resulted that agreement
could he had on the programme of "A game
at Philadelphia this fall. one at New
York next year and n third at Philadel-
phia in 1916. ON the strength OF this
impression Secretary Daniels arranged
to-day for a conference with Lieut. Fair
field. in charge OF athletics at Annapolis.
The telegram from Col. Towpsley. how
ever, dispelled these hopes by showing
that whatever action the managers had
lhhtn was ultulubllA'us MS AlltNShht ~
Secretary Garrison follows:
ANY propositions relative n Army and
Navy game differing from that made "
YOU and the Secretary of the Navy and
that may come before you from any
source whatever are without my approval.
The Military Academy and athletic coun-
Gil regard that proposition as the most
just and fair yet made and stand by 1t
uncondtionally. This telegram is sent
because OF newspaper and other reports.
I have also so informed the superintendent
OF the Naval Academy
The joint proposal made by Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels to which Col
Townsley refers. was thai the two acad-
emies make an agreement for ten year
term, the substance OF which was that
the academies should alternate each year
In choosing the site Of the football game,
the Navy to choose this year, no city
north OF New York nor south OF Wash
ington to be selected by either.
Notwithstanding the rejection ~ this
proposal by the Naval Academy. the
West Point athletic council went to Mr.
Garrison and Informed him that the con-
troversy having gone on now for a long
period in spite OF the earnest efforts OF
the Military Academy athletic officers to
effect an adjustment. they felt II their
duty 20 do nothing to prolong the bicker-
Ing and therefore they asked the Secre-
their hands. Any agreement made now.
therefore, will have 20 be made through
Secretary Garrison, the West Pointers re-
fusng longer 81 a party to the dispute
Mr.. Garrison made public tonight the
Joint letter of himself and MI Daniels
sent TO both academies. II Is "a follows :
I'VE are informed that for several years
past the selection OF a site for the annual
football game between the two academies
has been the subject OF disagreement and
discussion and has annually been settled
after prolonged, negotiation We feel that
this is "A most undesirable state OF affairs.
The whole country Is naturally Interested
in these two national academies and
whatever they do j. the subject OF COM
ment and criticism.
The public spectacle OF an open dis
agreement IS very undesirable from every
standpoint. These two great academies,
representing the two branches Of the ser
vice which in time of stress must al
WAYS cooperate sympathetically, are put
in "A most undesirable light in the public
eve II they are found unable to agree
about so simple ' matter AZ where an
annual athletic event should take place.
We feel that every one who has tho
! interests of the academies at heart-and
-~that means All of us--should strive In
/ every possible way entirely to eliminate
any such cause of disagreement in the
/ future.
we do not propose-because II cannot
! serve any good end to do so--tO go into
/ any matters. OF the past at all, further
/ than We have done in "A recital OF the
! annual discussions before place was se-
/ lected. What we do wish to do IL to
| make n suggestion to YOU. gentlemen,
which seems to rs to be so fair and
reasonable that you should CONSIDER IT,.
| with view to its acceptance In the
| confident assurance that by accepting II
| all possibilities OF future disagreement in
| this respect Will be removed,
I'VE suggest that the two associations
| agree that for a period OF ten years be
! ginning this year the following things
should be considered as settled:
81 The site for the game shall bo Sc
! lected alternately--that Is each academ5
/ every other year may select the site.
"2. The site must >ot be further north
! than New York and not further south
/ than Washington
| - The site selected must hav" a seat
ing capacity Of not less than 10000 each
! academy is 10 receive not less than 10000
/ seats, In addition to not less than 1000
each In cash. Whatever arrangement is
made each academy is to share equally.
! -. The navy Is to choose this year.
We have gone over the whole s,tua-
ton and have heard all those Interested
! have to say and feel assured that the
above plan comes nearer to being com
plete, satisfactory and fair arrangement
| than any other that has been or as far
| AZ W. know can be suggested
I'VE earnestly hope that you gentlemen
will look upon this matter In the same
| spirit in which we view II and Will accept
| the suggestion herein made. so that W,
NAV look forward In the future to a sltua-
ton which will he free from the dis
tresslng occurrences in tho past In this
| respect Sincerely YOURS.
"LINpLEY NJ GARRISON, Secretary OF War
"JosEPHUs DANIELS. Secretary OF thoNav7',
THE Army Athletic Association, West
Point, y. Y
The Navy Athletic Association, An
napolis, Md"