The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-15

Of the contest by radio. AT the
present time there are more than
40 organizations and groups of
colleges that have teams in active
participation in football games.
Almost every state also las high
school organization or union.
Help Promote Competition
These conferences and state or
CARNATIONS have helped to promote
the highest quality of competition
and have assisted in widening the
appeal of the game by building up a
common interest, common eligibil-
ity as well as competitive POSSIBLE
tiles. This latter is especially true
of the high schools with their divi-
sions according to their capabilities
into "A = B. &C" and ID" classes.
Why this intense interest in the
game?
Every nation has the songs and
'ames shat typify the spirit and
terest Of its people.
The English, pioneering in many
Il the games that have been trans
planted to the United States, have
their form Of football and cricket.
The Americans. developing these
games, have their form Of football,
baseball and basketball.
In many ways the games are
slmllar--in one sense, however, they
are vastly different.
ANY one who knows the English
temperament is not surprised that
cricket is one Of Britains sports.
No normal American, however,
would go to a game Of cricket, stop
for tea, return to the game, spend
a night in slumber, and go back the
next day to see the first batter put
out.
Speed and Action Are Added
1t is really true that we took
English football and cricket, added
speed, action and rules that assured
a speedy termination and developed
our football and baseball. In doing
so, games that better suited the
temperament Of America were devel-
oped. 1t is possible we have not
developed better games, but cricket
could not become the national game
Of America any more than baseball
could become the last word in sport
in England. The spirit and interest
OF the people are suited by different
types Of games.
1t seems strange how America S
swiftest transportation and football
have kept pace with each other. In
the early days of football, when
'Old 999" was setting records, the
game was so planned that a quick
concentration Of power was the OBJ
jective. When the automobile was
IN the pioneering stage and more
than mile minute became a pos
Sibility, the game was opened up tc
make speed and versatility Of pri.
mary Importance instead of power
Now with the airplane and its two
miles minute, greater speed, more
varied versatility is added to the
game.
Spectators Can See More
This opening up of the game has
added value for both spectator ano
player-more than that, it has kept
the game abreast with or ahead Of
the spirit and interest of the Amer.
lean people. It has added to the
interest Of the spectators because
even the least informed can follow
the progress Of the game at all times
and see the personnel of competing
teams. It has added to interest OF
the player because wits and quick
thinking, and not power only, are the
requirements.
The widespread interest in foot.
ball is because it represents the in.
serest and spirit Of America. It is
the "Long, Long Trail" Of the wal
days, the "Dixie" of the Southland
expressed in terms of moving
flashing figures, cheering crowds
inging students, the game that suits
lc spirit Of America.