Evening star., 1925-12-01

AbipSSdl HCd dp VI points louSIl LOT
friendly feelings and the JOY OF the
Having noted this distressing con-
dition, which undoubtedly has existed
in a number of CaSes-and still exists
in rare instances - our saGes have
come to the sweeping conclusion that
the fair sex is not ready for competi-
tion: that. in fact. competition is not
for women anyway, il being detri-
mental to their health and a destroyer
of craftsmanship.
When run into the ground. all Of
this undoubtedly is true. But when
indulced in wisely we cannot see il as
2 menace.
Only Few Guilty.
II is possible that because the few
have gmisused sport and have made of
their competitive fields backgrounds
Of hate instead of Fairgrounds of
friendly rivalry. the masses are to he
denied all competition-the very es-
sence of progressive sport-for fear
Of being corrupted by it's possible
vices instead of being benefited by its
many virtues?
To our mind this would be much
the same as denying democracy to
the whole world, because one small
nation may have abused its privileges
We could never prepare the world
for democracy by withholding ii un-
I'll every one was big enough to un-
derstand its meaning. Neither can
we hope to prepare women for com
petition by Withholding it until all
can prove their craftsmanship
craftsmanship can be tested only
through competition. We cannot
protect our SpOrtSmanship merely by
refusing to put it TO a test. Rather.
in order to develop it, we must put it
t" the test repeatedly. Our good
craftsmanship is proved beyond q
doubt only when we can stand the
Gaff in a contest which means some.
thing to us and to our team by dem
onstrating our ability tn place the
winning of that game (which mea ms
50 muChl in the proper ratio with
playing the game in the fairest way
possible (Which should mean much
morel.
If competition is eliminated. then
winning or losing means nothing II
would be easy. indeed. to he Il good
sport under such circumstances
Should Rcmpd, Faults.
But would il not he treating girls
a. pitiful veaklinCs If we had To
protect their sportsma nship by re.
fusinC to expose them to anything
which might bring ont their lack Of
it? Far better. take the bun by the
horns" and put them where they will
be tested. Then. as VIC sec thcir
shortcomings - if any spend our
energies in developing the highest
ideals ot sportsmanship by making
them feel that when competing. al
though they must put forth their best
efforts to win, they must always keep
i'm mind the fact that the biggest
triumph of all comes with the know
ledge that they have played the game
and have either won on lost grace
fully.
In other words let us develop good
sport smanship in our girls through
placing the proper value on Compe-
tition and not attempt to eliminate
the vital competitive element because
of A craven fear that il will show up
the poor sports.
We do not pretend To advocate in
tensive competition. We are not
sufficiently familiar with he situa-
tion Throughout the country to judge
of the needs or the dangers OF inter
echolas site sports. They may he total
~ unnecessary. even harmful from
2 health standpoint. But this much
we do believe. that competition of
some sort is absolutely vital TO the
perpetuation of sport. 1t is essential
Ia the progress of womens athletics
lust as 1t is essential to all other
progress.
When contemplating the removal
Of this element, let our sportswomen
remember that since God created the
world. nothing big under the sun has
been accomplished without compeu-
tion from the first primitive strug-
rrIes of man against beast, to the
latest marvels Of science.
I.auedOn basket ball tGssers finished
their career in A blaze of glorT
Yesterday afternoon. when they
iliumphed over John Burroughs fast
xextet. II to 10. and captured the
EJoominedale division trophy for the
snrond successive year. They have
,,Iaved through their long schedule
IrithoI,t the loss of Il single game.
Rrightwood Park and John Rur-
roughs are tied for second place, each
havipg lost only one Same-l'angdon
being their Waterloo.