The Washington times., 1927-12-17
ALL CA[)E: IS
TREATED
ALIKE
BY Kirk C. Miller


Army people in Washington to-
day were standing staunchly be.
tendent of the United State Mill
tary Academy at West Point, in his
action whereby he returned un.
signed to Admiral L. NJ. Mutton.
superintendent ofsthe United States
Naval Academy, a contract for the
1928 game between the Army and
Navy football teams,
General Winans took exception
TO clause IA, of the contract, which
barred from the service games all
players who had had three years
previous experience in college foot
ball before playing in the elevens
Of either of the academies.
In the last service game, played
November 26, the Army won with
four players who had had previous
varsity gridiron experience, running
all the way from Capt. Harry Will
son, who played a full stretch at
Penn State before entering West
Point as well as Murrell, Navy. and
eagle. with lesser previous college
contacts.
The attitude of Army officers
here is that all students at West
Point enter there on an equal
basis of scholastic and athletic
opportunities. They do not
wish to limit, restrict, handicap.
discriminate for or against or
in any way jeOpardize the even
treatment accorded every en-
trant.
The Army claims that the three
year rule which Navy would impose
In it's contract for the 1928 games,
has no application with the service
stevens, because the amateur status
such rule guarantees colleges
where 1t is in vogue, is guaranteed
at he Military and Naval acad-
omies by the very nature of the
governing laws and regulations
which characterize those institu.
lions
Attention is called by War De-
partment officials here to the fact
that no demand or requirement has
ever been made by civilian colleges
on West Point for adoption of the
three-year rule, when it has been
pointed out to them that the basic
eligibility rules governing entrance
to West Point insure all opponents
that subsidized athletes cannot ex.
list there.
The attitude at West Point,
which is sO!idly backed here in
Washington, is that the develop
ment OF athletic prOwess to the
highest degree. both in its indi-
vidual and collective aspects, is
fundamental In proper con.
CeptlOn of its duty in producing
the quality of leadership in its
future officers.
The whole Army body is convinced
that anv bar or restriction placed
upon any individual man who enters
West Point as cadet would Sc
riously interfere with ACCOMPLISHING 2
the detectives of the Military Acad.
envy which is to develop officers to
be leaders of armies.
Meanwhile, Admiral Mutton had
promised a statement from Annap.
oils in answer to General Winans.
and to further clarity the Nayv's de.
mand that football players of the
Two institutions, West Point and
Annapolis be restricted to students
VINO had not had three years. var.
slty experience before playing for
the elevens of either school. Such
a rule is at present in effect at
Annapolis and has been for several
seasons.
Discussing the reported break
IN football relations between
West Point and Annapolis to.
day. Secretary of War Davis
said he hoped that the subject
may be left for settlement in
the hands Of the authorities of
the two institutions.
The present football relations of
the academies" said Mr.. Davis,
are based upon a contract for
four years of competition. This
contract does not contain any pro.
vision limiting eligibility of play
ers.''
The Secretary said he would re.
Irain from any expression until he
knows more fully the reasons why
the Naval Academy desires to de.
part from the existing contract
which was only entered into last
year and still has three more years
to run.
West VIII Wo1cnro