New-York tribune., 1918-06-23
U.S.F.A.,Barring
Aliens, Becomes
Truly American
Taint of Britons Voice in
Government of Game
Here Is Removed
By c. A. Lovett

By G. A. Lovett
The United States Football Associa-
tion has become 100 per cent American.
Since the inception of the national SOC
Ger organization, more than five years
ago, unnaturalized Britons have had
considerable say IN the councils of the
governing body. 1t is not to be denied
that theirs was a valuable assistance
in the early days of the sport in this
country. and many. through affiliated
associations. will continue their identi-
fcation with the game in the United
States.
But with more than fifty colleges in
this country fostering the kicking
sport. with high schools and grammar
schools the country over adopting the
game as the chief form of athletic COM
petition, even replacing baseball more
often than not. because the baseball
season is only beginning when the
scf ,ols close for the summer the U. S
F. A. elected last week to give proof OF
its patr .otism, and even a. The risk OF
criticism from subjects of ore of our
allies in the fight for democracy
amended it's constitution to provide
that "the officers of the ASSOCIATION
shall. Be citizens Of the United States"
In many quarters in the past Amer
leans have he'd its English connections
against soccer. It has been classed by
some with crcket--the sport" played
in high hats--just as golf was misrated
whom first it made i,s appearance on
this side of the big drink. American
soccer should profit by the elimination
of the voice of foreigners from its
inner councils.
Measure Hit Treasurer
1t was not indicated by the propon-
srts Of the measure that there was
any intent to strike at individual Brit
ons. The fact remains. however, that
the only non-citizen officer Of the ma
siopal body at the moment OF enact
ment of the constitutional amendment
was Thomas H. Bagnal. Of Harri. on,
n. j., head Of the Southern New York
State Football Association and New
York Footballers' Protective Associa-
al treasurer. For more than a score of
years Bagnall has been prominently
identified with soccer in the metropoli
tan di trict, and many words of COM
inendation for his work were spoken
in the course of the discussion upon
the proposed citizenship requirement
of national soccer officials. Indeed,
after the amendment had been adopted
legislating him out of office Bagna !
was voted gold medal in recognition
Of his services as chairman of the Ma
tional Chal .enge Cup Competition
Committee of the U. s. F. A. last sea-
son.
Ragnall was accorded some support
in opposing the proposed ant-alien
measure, Andrew M. Brown, Of the
American Football Association; James
Marshall, of the New Jersey State F.
A; Joe Booth, Connecticut State F. A.;
William Da gleisch. representing the
Michigan Soccer Association; Third
Vice-President George Healey, Of De-
troit, and National Secretary Thomas
w. Cahill voting with the Engishman
to defeat the proposed amendment. But
ferring slightingiy to American citizen
ship and making no sound defence of
his failure to become naturalized
citizen of the land that has fed him
so long.
William S. Haddock, Sheriff of Allie
gneny County, Penn, power in the
Western Pennsylvania F. A. and Anna
teur Athletic Union delegate to the
U. S. F. A. Council, was elected by ac.
clamation to succeed Bagnall Had
dock served as POSTMASTER at the an
two-day meeting at the William Penn
Hotel. Pittsburgh. In Haddocks dis
trict the grade schools adopted soccer
football in place Of baseball, and the
schoolboy elevens play each fall a
schedule Of more than 5000 soccer
games.
Meeting Peaceful
President Peel and Secretary Cahill
were reelected without opposition. bui
the dropping Of Douglas Stewart, Of
Philadelphia, University Of Pennsyl
vania soccer coach, after several years
as hrst vice. president. came as a sur
prise to many. George H.aley. of De
troit, for several years second vice
iion to succeed Stewart. Andrew M
Brown. Of Bayonne, N. j., was made
second vics-president. and James W
Riley. Of Methuen. Mass. won the onl,
fight occas,ned by the election, de-
feating William Palmer, of Philadel
phia. and William Cameron, Of Chicago
for the third vice-presi lercy. Riley
succeeds Harold Crook, of Fall River
Mass, an officer in the management OF
INC ran hiVer hoverS, recently dc.
posed national champions AS forecast
in these columns the sessions were
strangely harmonious. and but for the
citizenship proposition the meeting
would have been most placid.
The council defeated a move to re-
y quire all district referees associations
to affiliate with the United States
Referee Union. and in consequence the
u. s. r. U. may withdraw its aftiliation
II the U. S. F. A.
Legislation was enacted to Illustrate
padding of teams late in the playing
season; propaganda fuad was voted
for the use of Secretary Cahill, and the
appeal of the National Association
Football League against the decision Of
the New Jersey S. F. A., reversing q
verdict by the N. A. F. L. in a case
involving Paterson r. c. and New York
r. c., was dismissed. the New Jersey
associations decision being upheld.
Dundee to Box Donley in
Jersey City Tomorrow