The Washington times., 1921-10-25

As a game ID wasn't an important
event In the annals of football, but az
a spectacle Il was something else
again. II proved that public interest
In football depends largely on the en-
tertainment that can be promised the
spectators.
Down at Princeton approximately
10000 persons saw the University OF
Chicago eleven, battling for the first
time within the sacred precincts OF
the big Three" defeat the Tigers,
who were regarded as the strongest
team In the East last season.
At New Haven some $4,000 persons
saw a game that was rather dull from
the expert viewpoint and marred by
frequent fumbles and unsuccessful
forward passes.
What was the attraction? Wen tell
you.
The march OF 400 West Point ca
dets from the Yale campus to the Bowl
and the drilling of the gray battalions
on the gridiron before the game. How
many spectators would there have
been In the Bowl II the w vst Point
team had not been supported by it's
official rooters?
Great for Morale.
This game. we hold. was not only
a big thing for football. but big
thing in the promotion of the Ameri.
can spirit which has sagged in various
ways since the war and the resulting
depression.
West Point is a national institution.
Every American is proud Of 1t and
proud of the boys who thrill us as
they drill with machine-like precision.
Heretofore the Army teams have been
limited 10 one game year away from
the historic plains at West Point. That
is the annual clash with the Navy on
neutral ground.
The fact that $4,000 persons were
willing to travel from distant points
to see West Point maneuvers should
be noted by army officials. There is
be exhibited two or three times sea
son In this way. They enjoy the little
trips and they inspire patriotism. Fur
thernore, the income from these big
games amply supports all branches OF
athletics at West Point and thus re-
lieves Uncle Sam Of the necessity OF
appropriating funds for this important
work at his military school.
We do not know who is responsible
for breaking away from the tradition
that all West Point football games, ex-
at West Point, but II is move that
has met with a popular response. We
suspect that Major Phil Hayes, in
charge OF athletics at the Point, had
something to do with II. He is to be
congratulated.
doc" Elliot Shines.
Those who attended the Lafayette
Fordham game at the Polo Grounds
were lavish in their praise of Doc"
Elliott who starred at fullback for
the visiting eleven in the first half.
The writer's who covered the game
for the metropolitan journals agreed
that Elliott was a player of great
promise as a line breaker and fear
less ground gamer with uncanny
ability to find openings.
Some of the critics even went 40
far as to compare Elliot with George
Gipp, the Notre Dame star, whose
career was cut short by death last
winter.
This is high praise, indeed, when
one takes into consideration the fact
that Elliott Is only freshman at
Lafayette and had played in only one
other game as a regular. Indeed, he
had been rated as a substitute, hut
after his performance of last Satur-
day he cannot be kept on the side.
lines. Some of the experts predict
that Elliott will finish the season as
the best fullback in the East. They
admit he lacks finish as an all-arou1d
player. but his inherent football ab,l-
ity Is remarkable.
We happen to know the sire of this
young man, and IL young Elliott is as