The Washington times., 1921-03-04

Additional sports in which both the
service schools now engage In com
petition with other college teams
are boxing, wrestling, swimming.
fencing and lacrosse, as well as fed
and track. There seems to be no
reason, outside of West Points new
ness in these branches. beyond the
'intramural status, why the series
should not be established. 1t Is be-
lieved that 1t would receive the ap-
proval OF the heads of the Army and
Navy, and would undoubtedly in
crease the interest in those branches.
DON'T LIKE TO INSIST.
Naval Academy authorities have. on
several occasions, put il up to those
of the Army that they are willing to
enlarge their athletic relations by
arranging series in additional branch
es. AS the Naval Academy has been
in competition with other colleges in
these lines much longer than the
Military Academy, Navy people do not
feel like pressing the matter, and
are awaiting a move from the Army.
West Point has, however, done ex-
ceedingly well in boxing. wrestling
and swimming this season. and has
field and track meets and lacrosse
games scheduled for the spring.
ularly reluctant to push the matter
further in view of the successes
which the Navy has had in recent
contests. The Midshipmen. have won
all six of the most recent games
against the Cadets. two each in
football, baseball and basketball.
One reason which makes towards
the success Of the Naval Academy is
that it's normal status and number of
students has been more completely
restored since the war than has that
Of the Military Academy. The student
body at west Point is still actually
a class behind that at Annapolis.
However. the Military Academy is
still cherished as the great, natural
rival of the Naval Academy, and no
illusion Is cherished at Annapolis that
there is no possibility of a reversal
of fortunes smiles. A better system,
better organization and more able
men in charge as coaches and direc-
tors, upon the whole, have been the
basic reasons for the Navy's recent
successes. West Point has had just
as good material nor is there any
appreciable difference in the spirit of
the student bodies.
There are many, including some
naval officers, who believe that when
both institutions reach their normal
condition, chances will favor the sue
cess OF the Military Academy in the
long run. owing to the difference in
the rules which govern the admission
of candidates, in particular the higher
age limit Not only does this give the
Army the opportunity of attracting
developed college athletes, but the
average of strength, endurance and
control is naturally greater.
MIDDIEs MORE NUMEROUS.
The Naval Academy will have the
advantage in numbers. the law at
present providing for 2,tO0 mijship-
men, while about 1900 is the limit
at West Point. However, the Naval
Academy cannot receive candidates
who have passed their nineteenth
year, while the limit at the Military
Academy Is two years higher. 1t will
be of interest to note how these diff
ferences AFFECT the strength of the
teams as the years pass. In some
branches, particularly baseball, II Is
expected to give a distinct advantage
to West Point.
While there is no intention Of
pressing the matter Of eligibility
rules further with tho Military
Academy, the majority of naval Of
flcers believe that IL will become a
serious matter sooner or later. While
each service school will always. II
Is hoped and believed. be the great
athletic rival Of the other. IT will
not do to keep up friendly rela-
tions with the other colleges
As the service schools become
more successful. II is felt there Will
be more insistence upon them adop.-
ing the same rules which govern
the teams they meet. This the Ma