Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-21
M|DD|ES ARE READY
TO BEND GRID CODE
West Point Head Held Slow
to Accept Suggestion
of Conference.
NNAPOLIS, October 21.-From
the discussion of the athletic re-
lations between the Naval and

NNAPOLIS, OcCoDer Zl-FrOm
" the discussion of the athletic re-
n lations between the Naval and
1 \ Military Academies during the
past week, some important con-
tributions to the subject have been
made plain.
The first of these is that the first
suggestion of q conference on the sub
ject did not come from Gen. William
r. Smith, superintendent Of the Mill
tary Academy, but that Rear Admiral
Samuel r. Robson, superintendent OF
the Naval Academy, had suggested 1t
several times, and the offer had not
been approved by West Points head.
Further, it has been made perfectly
clear that there is no likelihood of an
agreement which will restore athletic
relations, including the arrangement for
a foot ball game. in the near future, I'M
less higher authority than the heads of
the service schools intervene in some
way.
As a matter of fact, it is known that
one of the strongest aims of Admiral
Robson, as head of the Naval Academy,
is to restore athletic relations between
the service schools, and that he is ready
to make material concessions on the
part of the Navy.
1t developed during the week that Ad-
miral Robson had proposed such a con-
ference, not only in a letter written
about two weeks ago, but on several
previous occasions.
Robson Was Athlete.
AS midshipman, Admiral Robson
played on the foot ball and base ball
teams Of the Naval Academy, and his
interests in sports has continued. He
believes that the service schools should
meet in different sports and that the
present conditions between the two are
most unfortunate.
On the other hand, the telegram of
Gen. Smith. sent to Admiral Robson,
indicates no basis upon which COM
promise agreement can be reached. On
| the contrary, 1t indicates that the Mill
| tary Academy will hold its ground in its
refusal to adopt the three-year rule or
any other regulation which will limit
its use in athletic contests of any
! student.
The Naval Academy, represented by
| Admiral Robson, is not only ready to
agree to any reasonable compromise, but
is willing to go so far as to play the
Military Academy this year without any
sort of restrictions on the use by the
Army team of any of its players.
The Navy, however, Is not going to
abandon its position on the eligibility
question permanently, though 1t is will
ing to compromise.
1t has been proposed that this COM
promise should be on the basis of a
four-year rule permitting students at
the academies to engage in a total OF
four years of varsity competitions.
Even if an agreement upon these
terms is reached the Naval Academy
probably would adhere to the three
year rule. AS it engages in intercol-
leg ate competitions it would be unfair
and unSportsmanlike to enjoy any priv
ileges not held by its opponents.
Game This Year Unlikely.
AS the service schools seem to be
hopelessly at odds on this question, and
there has been no suggestion of a pos
sible compromise on the part of the
Military Academy, it appears to be al
most certain that there must be action
by higher authority before athletic re-
lations are renewed.
1t is regarded as possible, though
quite unlikely, that such action will be
taken in time to have a game this year
In fact, the statement that examina-
tons are being held at the Military
Academy at the time of the proposed
game, December 6, seems almost to
preclude this.
The chief hope Of playing the game
this year undoubtedly rests upon the
efforts of Representatives Britten and