Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
MOVE TO LIST ARMY FRAY
ISTHROUCH AT ANNAPOLIS
Contempates Taking No Further Step Toward 1921
Game, Academy Superintendent Declares-Now
Will Book Substitute for Classic.

~
Il shin between West Point am
u the Naval Academy went by
the board. at least temporarily
today. with the announcement by Real
Admiral Louis NJ. Mutton, superintend
ent of the midshipmen's institution
that the Naval Academy contemplate
taking no further step toward an
Army-Navy game for 1925"
Admiral Nulton's statement followed
the decision of West Point authorities
speaking through Maj. Gen. T.. b
Winans, superintendent of the Mil
tary Academy, who asserted That the
Navy request for three-year elfgibil-
ity rule. governing membership on ath-
letic teams. would not be complied
with At the cadet school
This was NaVy's year to write the
contract for the annual gridiron classic
between the two schools, and Navy
Authorities had included a clause in
the contract calling for the adoption
Of the three-year eligibility rule by the
Army. This rule, which became ef-
fective with the Midshipmen last June,
states that students who have partici-
pated in three years of a varsity sport,
either at the academy or at another
collegiate institution, cannot continue
to represent the academy in that
sport
West Point Spurned Contract.
Navy wanted West Point to adopt
the same procedure. but Maj. Gen.
Winans, in a statement yesterday, said
there would be no change in existing
athletic rules at the Military Academy,
and forthwith mailed back the con-
tract to the Navy calling for 1928
game.
Considerable doubt was expressed
the Army would change its
opinion in the matter, while naval of
fcials, by the statement today, refused
to alter their first position regarding
; fhe eligibility rule. Whether official
Washington will be forced to take ac-
ton to bring about an agreement de-
ponds largely, it was pointed out, on
whether Admiral Mutton and Gen.
Winans get together in an attempt to
iron out the difficulty.
Atspresent the athletic controversy
Is deadlocked and Secretary Of War
Davis expressed the opinion today
that he had hoped the superintend-
ents of the two schools would ulti-
mately get their heads together to
clear away the smoke OF battle which
has clouded the military and naval
institutions.
Three Years Enough for Navy.
In his statement today, Admiral
Mutton expressed the opinion that
"the mission of athletics at the Naval
Academy in relation to the student
body and the general service is iden-
ticaIly the same as that of West
Point. but the Naval Academy does
not consider it essential in fulfilling
this mission to play players six and
seven years in the same sport, nor
does it consider such a procedure in
the best interest of amateur sport
Raising the question of eligibility
does not bring into question criticism
of ethics. 1t does, however, the state
iKnent continues, bring into consid-
eration of the length of experience of
the players in the same sport and con-
sideration as to whether the contest
ants are operating under conditions
which give to each side sporting
chance to win"
Continuing. the superintendent
said: The statement that the stu
/ dent body at Annapolis is so per cent
in excess of that at West Point is
not in accordance with the facts. As
matter of fact there were on De-
cen1ber Is, 1927, 293 more midship-
men than cadets. The numbers of
the respective academies being: West
Point, .241; Annapolis, 1,534.
For each game each year there Is
a separate and special contract COW
ering the game for that year and,
While This is primarily for the pur
nose Of regulating locality and other
ARRANGEMENTS, there may be included
therein any special arrangement con-
eidered desirable or necessary.
No Four.Year Contract.
"rhere is one point on which there
is n1isundersta nding and confusion
that / wish To make clear" Admiral
Mutton said. land that is with refer
ence TO the so-called four-year agree
ment Everyone familiar with the
situation knows that the superintend
ent of each academy. as matter of
administrative procedure. determines
the athletic policy of each institution.
This year was the Nays year TO
vrrite that contract and included in
n was the three-year eligibility RUE
in accordance with the policy of the
SUPERINTENDENT of the Naval Academy,
as announced in June, 1927.
THE authorities of the Military
Academy. feeling that they could not
accom- the eligibility condition, re-
turned the contract unsigned. The
e~Saval Academy contemplates taking
no further step toward an Army-Navy
game for 1928.
aSneaking for myself" Admiral
N,,Iton,s statement concluded, cor
y4snondence and conferences on the
subject of eligibility have been con
Quoted by both sides with spirit Of
utmost cordiality, courtesy and good
LII The relation existing between
tha two student bodies has been one
NJ marked cordiality, admiration and
Yasnect and ] am deeply concerned
a.. 10 phase on an honest differ
go ~ opinion should tend to hurt
this
little Reaction at Annapolis.
sn.c;,l Dispatch TO The Star.
.NNAPOLIS,. Md. December If
NJ Naval colony here received the
- .odav Of the athletic rupture he
So. ,te service schools rather quiet
r. x,snv of them having realized for
500 time that a break was imminent
rt.o statements of the heads of the
academies in the general opinion hsre
,,,sl1as II certain that athletic rela
tions batween the two viii cease after
i''o agent school year. There is
much regret that inns II 80 out .he
stsnd of Rear Admiral Louis NJ. Nul
,on s,,nerintendent of the Naval
$4,000 Is generally approved
W,l5iie he general opinion ~ thai
tbere will be intervention by the Sec
retaries of War and me navy II
order 10 save the game nose Wiio a.
in closest touch with the situatlor
are not so sanguine. - -
Msnv If the latter class mink ina
theso oeicials will regard the foot bal
game and other athletic contests as
1 ina@er for the officials of the institu
tons - settle themselves, and ma,
not take & hand. 1t is believed tina
the came win be missed for one yea
Regarding game with the Militar'
Academy next year as unilkeN' IN
Narni danny nrobahlN viii. as IN