Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-04
BREACH INCREASED
BY NOTE EXCHANGE
Little Chance Seen for Grid
Game Between Service
Schools in Fall.
NNAPOLIS. January 4-whi

~ no effort is being made at III,
"A Naval Academy to schedule
4 4 foot ball game to take the plac,
of the annual contest with tn,
Military Academy. there is difference
of opinion here as to the chances OF
the breach between the service schools
being patched up in time TO save this
years game.
There is a general feeling that means
eventually will be found to bring the
schools together. but there is a grow
ing feeling that the game is off for
this year at least and that the chances
of a continued athletic feud between
the service schools is increasing.
The feeling between the two un'
doubtedly was warmed by the official
statement issued by the Naval Acad.
envy relative to the former collegiate
= experience of West Point players and
replies to ii by officers of the Military
Academy.
II appears that as long as the differ
ences remain there will be rerettionS
Of such exchanges. with growing bad
feeling between the schools. and that
the effect will he to fix them all the
more firmly in the positions that they
have announced.
Delay Widens Breach.
Some action by the heads Of the
War and Navy Departments was eX-
pected before this and the longer it
is DELAYED the less likely it will be that
an agreement on eligibility of players
can be arranged between the institu-
tons.
The matter has been discussed in
Congress. but no definite action has
been taken and il is thought that ath-
hnHxr hn f4r-n
can only be secured by the action of
the departments or Congress. as an
agreement between the schools them,
selves now appears out OF the Ques-
ton.
Should the heads of the departments
make known to the officials of the
r Naval and Military Academies that it
is their wish that the institutions
should reach agreement, there is no
doubt that the question would be taken
up again and in a different spirit.
This, also, II is believed. would be
the effect of the passage OF resolu-
ton by Congress. While some might
resent what they would term an inter.
ference in the internal affairs of the
schools, there can be no doubt that a
formal expression of the wish of Con.
gress would not be ignored.
The reopening Of the matter must
come by the action of either or both
of these, as there Is no doubt that the
officials OF the academies have spoken
their last words, and II is even re-
ported that the Military Academy is
arranging a game with another team
for that date.
Navy Backs Academy.
Since the announcement Of the
Naval Academy's position in the mat
ter it Is clear from expressions OF
naval officers that the service is solid
~ behind the head of that institution
in his stand. 1t is felt that the Naval
Academy should not continue to play
against team which Is now the only
college team Of standing which does
not limit its players to three years
OF varsity experience.
At the same time IL is probable that
the Naval Academy would accept
compromise. which includes the ulti-
mate adoption Of the three-year rule
by the Military Academy. II has been
suggested, for instance. that this rule
would not apply to students at present
In the academies.
A compromise OF this kind would
give the Military Academy the oppor-
tunity OF adapting itself TO the
changed conditions. and IL IL believed
that as q matter of fact there would
be few college stars to enter West
Point IL II was known that they could
not continue TO play foot ball. In
many cases they have said frankly
that the opportunity OF playing foot
hall had much 10 do with their en-
trance.
AZ the situation now stands, either
academy or both may schedule another
gama fnr if4 Anal rnpfaaf and this
would make IL harder TO bring about
the service game this year, as the ar
rangement with the other team would
be In the way.
Under the circumstances, unless
there is prompt official action, the
game is likely TO be omitted this year
al Least.