Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-18
Secretary Garrison in Accord
With Chairman Hays
Resolution.
SUGGESTS PROBATION 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
AMI naval academies next November. The
! resolution authorizes the chief of engin-
GERS 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 pro-
caution, that the 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
report on the subject. 'Inasmuch as
the foot ball game" says Gen. King
man, sis to be played under the joint
auspices Of the army and navy athletic
associations, it is thought best that the
authority of the chief of engineers in
the matter should be limited to grantins
authority to use the portion OF the park
in question and to recurring proper as
surance- that 1t shall be completely re-
stored after the game to its former con-
dition. To accomplish this. it is sug-
gested that the words under such con-
ditions and restrictions as he may deem
necessary found in lines and o.
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
a reasonable bond to be given for the
Accomplishment of this result inserted
thereafter. AS thus amended. ! see NO
objection to the faborable 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-
necessary stands and other structures,
as well as ntire management Of the al
fair, including the issuing Of tickets OF
admission. the seating of spectators. TO-
eether 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 t othe 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 thinks 1t bst that the
practice should continue despite the play
ing of the game on government terri
tory.
Agreed on Tentative Plans.
Although nothing can be settled in adj
vance Of Affirmative action by Congress.
it is understood that the athletic commit
tees of the West Point and Annapolis
academies have agreed on tentative plans
for the game in Potomac Park. These
involve the making OF contract for the
erection Of temporary frame stadium
having a seating capacity OF 1850. The
seats will be arranged in the form OF an
amphitheater and provision will be made
for about 100 boxes for high officials and
special guests.
1t is said to be probable that the joint
athletic committees will intrust the erec-
ton of a stadium to q select committee
of citizens of the District interested in
having the big foot ball event take place
in this city and willing to give bond for
its financial success. Nothing definite on
that line will be settled. however, until
after the desired legislation has been en-
acted.