The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-11-02

The Fargo Forum has recently car
ried several articles concerning the
State High School Football Champion
ship Series, presenting the view of
Fargo High School and of the Board
of Control of the High School Athletic
League, but have shown little of the
situation as it appears from the angle
Of Valley City, Grand Forks or the
state at large.
TO begin with, Valley City, Grand
Forks and Williston high schools were
eliminated from the championship race
because they had not met the require
nent Of paying dues on or before
October l.. Valley City was not
aware of the fact that she was delin-
auent in this respect until she called
the Secretary of the League Sunday
evening to secure official sanction to
play Fargo this week end, and was
dreadfully chagrined to learn that
We were out of the race because dues
were not paid one month ago. Ex-
animation revealed the fact that such
dues truly were not paid. However,
violation of the spirit and purpose of
this rule could scarcely be charged
against Valley City as the rule was
written to prevent INSTRUMENTATION; in
dependence of arranging games; Oppo-
sstion to official leadership, lack Of
financial cooperation, sharp practice,
etc Moreover, lberaity with Valley
City and Grand Forks could lead to
no complication or other harm. Willis
ton, we are informed, has made affi-
Iavit that her dues were sent in cash
within the required time. The two
remaining aspirants in the race were
probably the only ones effected. Of
flcial<s state that there have been prec-
edent$ the reversing of which would
be embarrassing. However the only
enc mentioned,- Bis,narck-on year
lgu---is not an analogous case. Such
iIberality with Valley City and Grand
Forks could be used without any back
fire, and is due on account of error in
handling by the Board of Control. The
policy pursued by them on this point
to date could never make a successful
league.
The difficulty lies with the Boards,
and particularly the Secretary's meth
oL of handling dues collection. Since
1913 at least there has been consti-
tutional requirement that dues be paid
October /. However, punctuality has
um- been enforced, at least prior to
lsz7. In 1920 Valley City's dues were
taken in November without objection
and at the same time she was award
Ell the District Championship, and also
permission to play for the interdis-
tGHN,t championship. If the policy Of
the Board has changed without chang
ing the constitution, it becomes the
duty ol the Secretary to notify men,
t;fr> in regard to dues, both because
OF the change and the rigidity Of re-
q, icement would demand it.
Valley City has had no proper duec
notice. \ constitution was received,
but the notice was submerged as COM
vtetely as the joker in a Legislative
bill Two careful examinations by the
Superintendent and Principal missed
ti,it notice, even when looking for it
Only ten out of some eighty or ninety
schools who participate in athletics
paid dues before October /. A simple
twist of the wrist, so to speak, is al
shat would be necessary to make this
notice very conspicuous.
It. is tl1e duty of the Secretary tt
t.drify In regard to dues, on genera
principles, if he has any duties. Tht
League constitution requires it. Alst
the Secretary established a preceden
OF notifying by a circular letter il
1921 which would further demand
that he should use as great care il
1929. The Secretary should hav'
known of our delinquency and that
was unintentional. 1t may be SAT-
that the league was involved in Vale,
City and that the local Superintendent
WAS its first president, outlined tn
first constitution and has never faile
sc'be: q member since it's organization
Again Valley City is a three spor
town and dues paid for football cove
basket ball and track. 1t would not b
profitable to forego payment of foo
ball dues when the other events ar
sorring on. More than this, Vale
City has shown her intention of mem
bersFnp by playing strictly in confol
nance to rules in all respects, sue
as playing only eligible men, only lea
que teams, only in own district, et|
Fl could easily be inferred that tn
team was counting on league member
ship because it was successful, it