Evening star., 1925-12-09

Sounded on the subject a couple Of
days ago while en- route here from
Washington, Clark Griffith declared
himself in favor of the proposition,
provided the public demand warrants
1t, and since his arrival it has been
aScerta1ned that more than one ma jor
Lacquer has evfnced keen interest in
the subject, although it is denied that
the topic will be formally broached in
either the American or National
League sessions today, or al the joint
meeting tomorrow
il will he recalled that professional
foot ball was tried in Washington for
a couple Of seasons several years ago.
sponsored in a measure by the bail
club. and thai il failed to make any
great headway but the reason was
readily apparent. Incentive was lack
ing. there was no spirit or rivalry pos
sible under the hit-or-miss conditions
that's prevalent just didn't mean
anything. That applied TO the Grange
game in Washington yesterday. In
stead Of being primarily a foot ball
contest it was solely a Grange exhibi-
ton.
Rigid Control Essential.
With teams well organized, capa bly,
coached and under the same rigid con-
the ma jor's parks available for games,
leagues established in the Midwest
on one hand and along the Atlantic
seaboard on the other, with regular
schedules and intersectional is we'll as
intercity rivalry prevailing. topped on
by world series battle between
the champion outfits of the two or
ganizations. might prove we'll worth
attention from financially responsible
persons as a business investment.
Right now pro foot gall is climbing
by leaps and bounds in popular es-
teem but whether it is merely
vogue that will die out or trend that
nit imately will make it fixture in
the sports program of the Nation
rema ms to be seen, and 1t is this doubt
that will cause the ever conservative
diamond mogulS 10 move cautiously.
While many of the leaders in college
athletics have been bitter in their
denunciation of professional foot ball
as having a baneful effect on the
youth of the land in imbedding sordid
thoughts of cash in minds that should
he occupied with higher things, other
equally prominent figures in varsity
circle. have asserted they can see no
harm in the pro game, if it is con-
Quoted along proper lines-kept en-
1ireir separate from the college game
so that it would be impossible for a
boy to have his career ruined by be
Ing lUred from his studies by inlme-
6iately available easy money.
This can be done by prohibiting all
college coaches from playing profes-
siona. foot ball. barring all officials
who operate in varsity games
from working in professional contests
and stipulating that no college grid
man could be used in pro lineup
until year following his final varsity
appearance.
Has Possibilities.
Such a league or leagues as outlined
above, with each team playing not
more than two games a week, might
develop into a big thing. if measures
were taken to make sure that the
team is the thing and not an indi-
vidual on it like Grange, whose over
exploitation induces resentment in the
other players, and in the long run
would defeat the purpose of the pro
moterS to gain and hold the interest
of the public in many sections, instead
of merely attracting a thrOn1 no mat