Evening star., 1934-11-09

doubt there are number Of students
who cannot be kept in hand. but l
believe that the great majority will
take no part in a strike"
A speaking engagement before the
New Jersey State Teachers Associa-
tion prevented DR.. Frank w. Ballou,
superintendent Of schools, from being
present. A statement by him was read
by Charles B. Degges, secretary to the
board.
In the statement DR.. Ballou said
the discontinuance of the foot ball
series was necessary in order Ito
establish and maintain proper con-
duct by players and audience" He
said he stands unqualifiedly behind
the action taken.
Athletics cannot be justified in an
educational system unless they are &C
companied by good sportsmanship,"
he wrote.
There was no coercion by either
himself or DR.. Kramer on the board
OF principals, DR.. Ballou stated. He
said, however, he was present at the
meeting only brief time
otuucHtS want FOOt Dali.
Students throughout all the high
schools were united today in opposing
discontinuance this year of foot ball.
Their position was strengthened by
the support OF the individual District
Commissioners. Each deplored the
row during the Tech-Western game,
but held that it was insufficient cause
for cancellation
Six students were summoned to ap-
pear as witnesses. All were members
of Mckinley or Western foot ball
teams. The Western players were
Frank Wynne, William Krouse and
Jack Waddill. From Mckinley came
Alexander Cohen, Francis P. DAILY,
Adrian C. Smith, William F. Geiger
and Icobod Josselyn. Principals,
coaches and teachers from Western
and Mckinley also were summoned
Other high schools sent delegations of
students, authorized by their princi-
pals, as observers for the student
bodies.
DR.. Kramer made on opening state
ment Immediately after the reading
of DR.. Ballou's letter. He said the
action discontinuing the series was
not based on any single incident He
said that the audience at high school
foot ball games has been unrestrained
all year, and cited the recent Central
Mckinley game, when. he said two
fights occurred on the field between
halves and police had to interfere
At this same game, DR.. Kramer told
the board, group Of colored boys
engaged in a foot ball game on the
eastern end of the field. while the
regular game was in progress.
Amid the applause of students. who
had not at that time been expelled
from the meeting, DR.. Kramer re-
marked:
THE great difficulty Is not with the
students but with the crowds who
enter through the gates and over the
walls, some with tickets and some
without tickets"
In reply to question by Gilligan as
to whether DR.. Ballou had said he
would not sign any recommendation
unless some drastic action was taken,
DR.. Kramer replied that I'VE felt some
disciplinary action should be taken"
Gilligan, always stanch supporter
Of high school athletics, said the dis
turbance in the Central Mckinley
game was not serious.
In a letter to the Board of Educa-
ton, Maj. c. U. Edwards, U. S. A.,
retired, deplored cancellation of the
series and said that "in all fairness,
if any one was to be disciplined it
should have been the offending player
or players and not the whole McKin-
ley School"
IF we are to abolish athletics and
rear a generation of sissies,' the let
ter read, I'VE might as well prepare
now for the day when some invader
will take over this great country of
ours"