Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-02
Action Comes AS Direct Result
of Last Saturdays Game
Pending Games Cancelled
Relations Will Be Renewed
When Reasonably Sure That
A Like Incident Will Not Be
Repeated

In an open letter sent to the prin-
cipal of Coburn Classical Institute,
yesterday, Principal E. M. Purinton
of Maine Central Institute very po-
litely but firmly suggests that Maine
Central Institute and Coburn CLASH
cal cancel all athletic contests pend
ing between the two schools until
fairly certain that such an action
as that of last Saturday will not be
repeated.
Following is the letter:
November l, 1926.
Principal Drew T. Harthorn
Coburn Classical Institute
Waterville, Maine
Dear Mr.. Harthorn:
October q, 1925, you wrote to
Maine Central Institute asking that
athletic relations between Coburn
Classical Institute and our school be
renewed. Your request was grant
ed. We scheduled basket ball and
baseball games, also a football game
for October 80, 1926, and two bas-
ketball games for the present school
year.
We have attempted to show your
school and its representatives every
consideration. We have expected to
resentatives of your school.
The general public does not under
stand from press reports of our game
last Saturday what actually occurred.
The facts seem to be as follows:
l. After about ten or eleven min
utes play one of your players was
disqualified by the referee for flag
rant unSportsmanlike conduct.
:. The atheletic director or foot
ball coach representing Coburn re-
fused 10 allow your disqualified man
to leave the field.
3. The referee informed your
coach of the infraction of the rules
and the penalty imposed. Your
coach was warned that play must
be resumed within the time Il nit
set by the rules.
4. Substitution not being. made
for the man disqualified and the
Coburn team, under orders refusing
to continue. the referee declared the
game won by Maine Central Insti-
tute by forfeit 10.
The officials for our game Satur-
day were with one exception Cen
trail Board Football Officials, The
exception was chosen with the ad-
vice of a Central Board man. These
four men were hired by us and ap-
proved by your school to officiate
at this game.
The referee in any athletic con-
! test is assumed to have absolute
| charge He may from time to time
| consult with the other officials. In
| the referees opinion one of your
men Intentionally tried to MAIN or
. cripple one of our players. Accord
he f,at - 49,,
| there was but one thing to do TO
| eliminate the offending player from
| the game. Following this action
your coach attempted to dictate to
| the referee. Failing in this effort
your coach refused to allow your
! team to resume play.
We are sorry that this incident
| should have occurred. We deplore
/ the fact that your school would not
| allow the officials to run the game
unless Interpretation of the rules was
| dictated from your side of the field
Under the existing circumstances
! there is but one thing for me to do.
. Until such time as we can be GER
| tain of courteous consideration and
| fair play for our athletic teams and
our coaches as we'll as approved Of
! f1cials chosen by us. Maine Central
| Institute finds it necessary TO cancel
! all athletic contests pending between
| the two schools. We shall be glad
| to resume athletic relationship when
reasonable proof can be shown that
| such action as that of October sc
| would not be repeated.
| This Is an open letter Copies
have been sent to the leading news
! papers in the state with request
| that they be printed.
| Very truly yours.
| E. NJ. PURINTON.
| PRINCIPAL