The sun., 1916-01-02
Pennsylvania Problems.

Pennsylvania was the first OF this
group TO have athletic problems. After
the Yale game OF 1898 a place on Yale's
schedule was denied to the Quakers. ru-
mors Of rough play being the cause. The
defeat Of Princeton In 1894 brought
about the same result and the feeling
aroused unfortunately has not yet been
entirely wiped of the slate. Similar
charges and rumors were In the air. Al
though ] was too young at that time to
know the facts. these stories have never
seemed to bear scrutiny with me for the
good reason that the most valuable
training that Woodruff gave me was In
clean sportsmanship. He was one who
impre ssed upon his pupils daily The idea
that they should let the other team do
the slugging while they did the scoring.
Woodruff did not believe the two mixed.
OF course there were professional
charges. pro and con. with good deal
of reason back OF them. for at that time
football from An ethical standpoint was
In bad way. Proselyting was in high
favor almost everywhere. Colleges even
caused men to jump from one to another.
Holt left the Harvard team to play at
Princeton. Osgood came to Pennsyl-
vanla after representing Cornell.
Whether there was anything wrong back
Vi tulS UtNcI may pc
Harvard continued to make the meet
ing with Pennsylvania it's big game. II
was having its trotbles with Yale and
Princeton over eligibility and rough
play and also over defeat. But in 1900
Pennsylvanias troubles began. Nc
Cracken. the Pennsylvania fullback, was
the target. Although not officially pro-
tested, Cha airInan Hollis Of the Harvard
athletic committee publicly stated that
he would not be playing II at Harvard.
McCracken played his NTH year. but
Penn chose TO call 1t his fourth. assuming
the few minutes he had played in a
minor game his first year could not be
called year. In 1908 the Quakers
played Zeigler and Smith against Har-
ward under protest. Zeigler had played
at Crsinus College the previous year
while In the preparatory department..
Smith had played part OF the previous
season at Pennsylvania State College.
The rule then read that player must
be In college one year. " he had played
at another institution, In order to be
eligible. Smith entered Penn about the
middle Of the Gall. in ample time 10 com
plete a wears work before the fall OF
1908. This was not obeying the spirit
of the rule. Later the Pennsylvania
faculty committee barred Smith. claim
ing he had played with State College
after matriculating at Penn. Relations
then were at the breaking point.
The vard-Pennsylvan'a break
came after the 1905 game. There was
never any public reason given for this
step by Harvard, I am Indebted 10 a
Yale graduate high in its present athletic
councils for II. Pennsylvania then was
reforming. Nnd II the facts given are
correct Harvard made mistake. The
trouble WAS over the playing OF Iamson
the Quaker tackle. who previously was
at Lafayette. had much to do with
Lamson's coming to Penn. I.amson won
a competitive scholarship In the medical
school, He worked during the summer
and thus paid his expenses. lie was
of the same type as Bill Bingham
TE,ryard's present Track captain. II
Lamspn was professional Bingham
now Is. Lainson was a boy OF sterling
character and worth. He was not al
Penn for football. That ne became q
resident at Mayo Bros. Hospital nj
Isochester, MINI, after graduation Ii
proof OF his ability.