New-York tribune., 1918-04-07
Soccer Has Its
Federal League
In the Offing
Politics of Kicking Game
May Lead to "Outlaw''
National Body
By c. A. Lovett

gruntled promoters of the game in
widely scattered sections Of the coun-
try are laying the ground plan Of an
organization with which it is hoped to
take over control of the game from
the United States Football Association.
The present national body, with
which some twenty-five state associa-
tions are affiliated, was instituted in
1918. 1t is affiliated directly with the
Federation Internationale de Football
Association and in good standing in
that great worldwide union. In con-
sequence any upstart organization
would have the status of "outlaw."
There is a considerable field, how
ever. upon which an independent ma
ton-wide organization could builo
The kicking game is played now in
every state in the union, and only
about half of these states have gov
erning bodies identified with the United
States Football Association. Even now,
it is said, half dozen state organiza-
tons are in one stage or another OF
Incorporation, and desirous of an af-
tiliatlon with the national body in order
that interstate matches and tours may
be arranged.
Even in those states where profess
slonal soccer has no firm hold there
are strong amateur organizations
which would form the nucleus of state
associations.
Politics Rampant
Since the fourth annual meeting of
the U. S. f. A, held at Boston last Nav,
there have been rum mblings of the inde-
pendent national association now about
to be formed. Dissension in soccer
ranks. particularly among the legisla-
tors who make the rules and control
several years.
There has been deal of politics
within the U. S. F. A. for two or three
seasons and the periodical council
meetings are fraught with bitterness
and with haggling. The manipulation
of U. S. F. A. elections would indicate
much longer experience on the part
of various soccer leaders in the intrica
cies of politics.
For the most part, former U. S. F. A.
officials who iave been defeated when
seeking reelection or higher honors in
the soccer realm, are behind the Fed
eral League movement
The names OF Arch, Birse, Of Chicago,
eX-treasurer of the U. S. F. A.; A. F.
Counts, of Cleveland, president Ohio
State F. A; John A. Fernley, of Paw
tucket. former U. S. F. A. president;
George NJ. Collins. of Boston, former
present secretary of the North Massa
chusetts and New Hampshire S. F. A.,
and Albert w. Keane. of New Bedford,
Mass, have been mentioned in connec-
ton with the project by those con-
nected with prominent clubs in many
sections of the country who have been
approached in the interests of the
movement away from the present gov
erning body. 1t is not for us to say
whether these soccer men actually have
been identified with the secession
trend.
Any attempt at en- independent ma
tional organization will be handicapped
by the strong hold of the U. S. F. A. in
the larger cities of the East and Middle
West.
Coast Body Likely
The organization of Pacific Coast
association which might wean from the
U. S. F. A. the strong California State
F. A. is considered by organized soccer
leaders to be a much stronger proba-
bility than any serious nationwide
competitor Of the old established COM
bination.
1t is contended that any attempt at
an organization to rival the U. S. F. A.
will have small chance of success at the
present time, because of the severe in
roads by the calls to national service
upon soccer talent and soccer attend
ance.
However, one "break" is in the move
ment's favor--the powerful and finan-
cially independent st. Louis Profess
sional League is face to face with sus-
pension from organized football. Play
ing a regular and highly profitable all
league baseball parks, the Mound City
kickers have come to show small regard
for the rules of the national organiza-
ton, with which it is affiliated through
the Missouri Soccer Football Associa-
ton, and has been given a warning that
it must give strict observance to U. S.
F. A. requirements in future unless it
would be "outlawed," and so deprived
of. competition with the better elevens
Of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Kansas, which they
have met frequently cat home" and on
tour in recent seasons.
Having played their first game as a
unit against the Montclair A. C. eleven
yesterday, the Chinese Students Soc
Ger OIuD OIL ASeW 4OEk Will 6CHGQulc
games regularly for six weeks or two
months before the summer lay-off. The
team has been uniformed in blue and
white and practices almost daily at
Van Cortlandt Park. Unconditional af-
filiation with the U. S. F. A., through
membership in the Southern New
York Football Association, has been
granted the club,
The powerful Bethlehem Steel clev-
en-, Of Bethlehem, Penn, two times ma
tional champions and deposed only last
season, has challenged the Chinese
kickers and it is expected a match,
probably to be played on schwab Field
Bethlehem, will be arranged. The
Bethlehem team has qualified as the
Western entry for the national soccer
championship this season.
The fact that the West Hudson A. A.
F. c., Of Harrison, n. j.. could not
promise either the old Federal League
park OF the international League plant
az Jersey City for the Eastern semi
anal led the L. s. F.. A. Cup Commit
tee 70 award the match TO Fall River
where, on April 13, the famous Jersey
aggregation will clash with the Fall
River kovers, present national cham
pions. Both the Fall River and West
Hudson ynanagcrnents offered substan-
tial gross gate receipt guarantees. The
Harrison outfit made the largest bid
h1,% al T..