Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-08
DOWN THE LIN E
WITH w. o. McGEEHAN-

~ ONE time ago wrote something
concerning THE Younger Cen
Grafton" in which I set down
veraciously some Of the views OF
the gray heads and bald pates follow
ing the world series regarding the
attitude of the younger generation to-
ward intercollegiate foot ball and the
national pastime. The views were not
mine, as 1 hold views which are dia-
metrically opposite.
Following is. one of the many letters
received regarding that piece ana the
writer Edward G. Hewitt, is either OF or
talking for the younger generation
which was grilled during the loose con-
yersation which took part in connection
with the world series.
SIT was with even greater interest
than usual that read your column
an THE Younger Generation today and
I am moved to address only one remark
to your distinguished group CT Old
timers'-I have you or the kinoiy MI
Bezdek in defense. And that Is: DO
they recall which generation mad tne
eighteenth amendment put over on
them? Do they think that we young
sters would have let them get by with
it? And If that great blunder is cor
rected, who will do it? / would Ike
10 hear their rebuttal to that argument
This sounds like something for the
elderly gentlemen who view the QUICK
witted and fast-thinking generation
with alarm and suspicion. Their atti-
tude begins to look like an inferiority
complex developing in the fact OF the
new, onrushing wisdom.
Since I mentioned the subject have
received some limitations OF a revolt
Of youth in the colleges against tns
tyranny of the foot ball coach ano
against the everemphasis OF intercol-
leqiate foot ball and other extracir-
riculum activities. When you get right
down TO IL, tie ,overemphasts OF. coi-
.Iegiate athletics Is not the fault OF the
undergraduates Of today. They think
too rapidly and too lucidly,f
r WAS talking the other day with
very young old grad OF university
which will be nameless. The reason
for the suppression of the name Is that
I do not wish the old grads OF that
institution to start grieving over the
decline of spirit at dear old WhooSls
because it will be of no benefit to them
TO grieye. The same sort Of sentiment
Is growing at all of them, and ], foT
enc, think that it Is evidence OF the
superior intelligence of the present-day
undergraduates. -,
said the young old grad with the
kindness of one possessing superior
wisdom: you we're about half right
in that stuff you wrote about the
Younger generation in the colleges
They do not fall for the blah that
their predecessors used to eat up. They
are not going to die for any alma mater
"They have come to the conclusion
that the principal reason for the ex-
list ence of sport in the colleges Is foI
the recreation and entertainment OF
the college men of today and not for
the college men of a generation ago
II YOU think there is much fun to play
ing foot ball these days you can BET
me. It's a cross between military
service and four-year sentence IN the
penitentiary.
"The very younger generation Is
getting very frank about that. They
are inclined to be quite cynical when
the coach is making fighting talks IN
the dressing room and they are fun OF
bruises. OF course, / used to feel that
way, but we were afraid to talk. We
were afraid to rebel. But the very
younger generation Is becoming prac-
tically fearless. 1t will kick OF the
coaci1's apron strings and go In for
sport that has fun in 1t.