Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07

EASTERN COLLEGES VOTE MILITARY
WORK IN PREFERENCE TO ATHLETICS,
SO STUDENTS MAY AID u. S. AT WAR
Penn's Sports, However, Will Continue-Har-
ward, Yale, Columbia, Cornell and Princeton
Cancel All Their Schedules

MILITARY training at Eastern collegiate
AV1 institutions has been taken up with
such an impetus through the present ma
tional emergency that intervarsity athletics
can find no place. This was the conclusion
arrived at by representatives from Penn,
Harvard Yale, Princeton. Columbia, Cor
nell. Dartmouth and Syracuse. who met In
New york yesterday to definitely ascertain
the opinion of authorities at the eastern
institution.
ready have abandoned all athletic schedules
and In most instances the athletes have
quit training. At Pennsylvania, Syracuse
and Dartmouth the different teams are still
in training and the athletic heads of these
colleges believe that It will be possible to
continue through the year. However. Har-
ward, Yale, Princeton. Columbia and Cornell
will abandon all athletic training for mill
tary conditioning at once.
At Harvard according to Fred w Moore.
graduate manager of athletics, who at
tended the meeting, virtually every ELI
gible student is learning military tactics
and because of this all athletic teams we're
forced to retire. He said Harvard could
not put an athlete into competition in any
sort of activity because all students are
members of the Harvard military unit and
preparing for war.
COlumbia\ ancels Schedules
The decfsSsssion of war automatically
suspended all schedules at Columbia, said
Harry A. Fisher, graduate manager of the
local college. Fisher was one Of the many
present who favored a continuance Of ath-
letic activities, but he admitted he was
poweriess.
A letter from Major General Wood urg-
ing the colleges not to be hasty and not
to call off sports was read at the meeting
Nln NO nizati ton md
the men present really had no authority
no action was taken on the latter except
that each man obtained n copy and will
present The copy to the authorities at the
respective colleges. Major General Woods
missive was his answer to communica-
! ton sent him by Paul Thompson, vice.
president of the University of Pennsylvania
athletic association. in which Thompson
asked the advice of the army leader.
Major Maylin J. Pickering, Penns ath-
| letic adviser, called the meeting and ad-
| dressed those present. He was of the opin-
| ion that it would be a mistake to call off
| athletics. He pointed out that the differ
| ent teams of the army and navy academies
| still are arranging competitions and said
| that Pennsylvania had hopes of fulfilling
| its schedules.
Penn to Continue
Major Pickering attempted to sway the
other representatives to his way of think
ing, ana undoubtedly would have arrived
| at his desired point had the men been able
| to assure him of anything. However when
| he found that the graduate managers had
| no authority to say anything that might
bind the institutions they represented he
| gave 1t up. Penn will not abandon athletics
| until asked to do so by the Government.
| Professor Robert d. Corwin. representing
| Yale, declared that several of the best Yale
| athletes are occupied in military duties
and that it would be folly for Yale to try
| to compete with its rivals on even terms
| He also said that Guy Nckalls coach of
| the Yale crew. would leave for England
within a week. since the crew has been dis
! banded for the year. Professor Corwin did
| not think that Yale would care to send
| 'tams Of secondary strength into any ath =
| let. competitions. However, Professor
! Corwin was inclined to believe that the
college authorities might have acted a tri1e
too quickly in dsposing of athletic training.
Cornell on Military Footing
| q. Erwin Kent. graduate manager al
| Cornell declared that every able student
at the Ithaca institution was forced to
accept military drill, and that athletic train.
| ing was not an excuse. Kent thought that
| the present emergency and the undoubte ed
| increase Of interest in military affairs would
prevent any further participation in ath.
| letics.
Harry Hilman. coach of Dartmouth's
| track team, was at the meeting as ar
| interested spectator. He got chance &c
! give the Dartmouth views, and 1t was his
| opinion that athletics should not be aban