New Britain herald., 1921-11-10
\. s. PLAYERS
 IN FINE FORM
Stories Concerning Griffin and
 MurtAa False, Herald Finds

Considerable anxiety is being felt among local followers of the High school football team following the publication in Hartford daily of q story to the effect that both Griffin and Murtha are in no condition to take part in Saturdays game with the Hartford High school
 Director Gave interview.
 After obtaining a statement from the schools physical director, who is also acting as coach for the team, in the form of an admission that he had made such a statement to a rcprescn- tative of the Hartford newspaper, the Herald investigated the reports and found them to be absolutely unfound- ed. Both Griffin and Murtha are in the pink of physical condition, ready and anxious to get into the fray Sat urday afternoon. The players who were placed before the reading pub
 lie as being seriously injured were both indignant when apprised of the story which had appeared in the newspaper. According to reports, one of the lads remonstrated with the coach and it took no small amount of persuasive power to bring him out for practice Tuesday evening. Both Griffin and Murtha have been boring their way through the second team line and carrying the ball on end runs in a manner that proves them to be anything but in poor condition.
 Reports Erroneous
 Saturday evening an erroneous re- port reached the city to the effect that both Griffin and Murtha had sustained serious injuries in the game with the Columbia Preparatory school team in New York city. It developed that Murtha had been knocked out for a brief period, but suffered no i'll after effects Griffin was thrown ln a pile of cinders and suffered superficial scratches about the eye, causing the discOloring of one optic. Both boys claim, and the appearance supports their statements, that they are in the | best of condition.
 The rapid spread about the city of the rumor that the two stars were on the injured list, following perusal of the physical directors published | statement, when countered by the denial not only upon the part of the players and those who watched them | scrimmage but also by the physical | director himself gave rise to much | criticism against the practice of spreading such erroneous reports.
 Idea Not Popular
 While it is an admitted fact that l such stories are frequently given out in professional football and some col l lege teams with a view to increasing | the opponents confidence beyond the | point of safety, it is the first time that such a practice has been resorted to by local High school mentor If public opinion plays any part in the decision as to it's continuance, it will probably be the last.
 Those who have already backed the Red and Gold with the Hong green were quite upset upon learning that the two stars of the team were on the injured list, and needless to say ac- tiyities in the betting line came to an abrupt stop.
 "Stratccy" Is Dumped.
 One of the many jokers ill the sit nation is that four Hartford High school boys were on the Ellis street grounds last night and saw both Grif- fin and Murtha in action. Upon their return to Hartford, it is reasonable to assume that the psychology and "stratcgy", which terms were used in explaining the action of issuing such | a false statement, was Immediately | dumped.
 A canvass among the players, stu dent body and followers of the team 1 during the past two days has brought out almost universal condemnation Of thn sn.callnd "StratngN".