The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-22

/ OnAEnL Lne AuEllllUtu ANA A'Ns
ton. Before they return TO the Capt.
tai they will have visited every city
in the American League. The fans
are with the players. They want the
boys to win. They want Washington
to wind up its season first, IL possible
But only one club can finish in first
place and, IL the Griffmen cannot do
1t. Washington fans certainly do want
their players to go down fighting.
There is no room for slackers in these
days OF war. Best wishes go with
the team on its long trip.
In discussing the propriety OF hav-
ing an eleven next year at Yale, Wal
ter Camp, a most honorable figure in
intercollegiate sport, questions wheth-
er the public will support a team Of
a second class merit. He must know
himself that out OF 10000 spectators
at a Yale-Harvard game in the Bowl
at New Haven fewer than 5000 appre-
ciate the finer points OF what they
are witnessing. II is safe to elimin-
ate every woman from the number Of
those who understand football. 1t is
safe to say that. outside OF former
players. skilled newspaper writer's.
visiting coaches. few of that big
crowd know what they are seeing.
Yes. Mr.. Camp, the public will con
tinUe to support football everywhere,
despite the war.
While on this same subject, e.
might be said that football is one
American sport of high caliber sup
ported by those who know mighty
little about 1t. Unless you've played
the game, IL is almost impossible to
follow a teams offensive play in these
days of open football. II isn't like
baseball, in which every play is open
and clean-cut Football is like war
in that the players on both sides en-
deaVor to their utmost to hide their
operations from the enemy and, incl
dentally, from the spectators. 1t was
on this account that efforts were
made to have the players numbered.
While admitting that public might
benefit, several prominent coaches
said football wasn't played for the
public" Yale was one to take this
stand. Harvard another. So, after all,
even IL Harvard and Yale don't play,
Dartmouth, Pittsburgh. W. and j.,
NOtre Dame and many others will pro-
vide plenty OF football for the public. |
The U. s. C. A. announces that no
amateur tourney will be held this !
season. II the u. s. C. A. can i
show that every prominent golfer |
is with the colors or otherwise |
toiling for the good OF the |
United States, this excuse should be |
accepted. II not so, the tourney |
should be held as usual.
Speaking OF golf. # might be whis-
pered now that the constitution Of |
the U. S. G. A. stands an excellent |
chance of being changed whenever |
the electors get busy. New York |
writers deny that this is being forced |
by the attitude OF the Western golfers, !
but II the change comes ii will come |
only because OF the hostility Of the |
West toward the present regime. For |
instance, IL the West is willing to &C.
cept Francis Ouimet as an amateur,
what will the East do about It? |
Therefore, the constitution will be !
changed and Ouimet and Sullivan and |
Tewkesbury will be admitted into the |
fold once more.
Already come tales OF baseball be- |
ing played by American soldiers over |
seas. Before the sons OF Uncle Sam |
return many hot battles will be de-
cided on foreign soil. Therefore, |
knowing this. why don't Sou con-
tribute your little two bits to Clark ]
Griffth's bat and ball fund" which |
is being collected to outfit the soldiers !
for recreation during their OF hours |
behind the firing line7 Two bits can't |
hurt you. 1t can aid nightly in |
making things pleasant for those who |
face the Germans.
Johnny Kilbane, American feather !
weight champion, is going to teach |
the soldiers boxing in the training |
camps. It's not remarkable that the |
soldiers will want to learn boxing |
OF to play baseball and football. !
They will be the best of Americas |
nlIII nHInu lHn NnnI |