Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1917 — ARMY-NAVY FOOTBALL GAME [ARTICLE]

ARMY-NAVY FOOTBALL GAME

Little Chance That Big Grid Contest Will Be Played Tills Year—Secretary Baker's View. There is little chance that the ArmyNavy football game will be played this year. Newton D. Baker, secretary of war, declared that he was opposed to having the contest played, even for the purpose of raising a war fund. Mr. Baker explained that the ArmyNavy game had been discussed by him with Secretary Daniels and Col. Palmer Pierce, U. S. A. head of the National Collegiate Athletic association. The decision reached was that so far as West Point and Annapolis were concerned, every ounce of energy ought to be employed toward the prosecution of the war, even at the temporary sacrifice of athletics. At West Point Secretary Baker explained a system of very intensive military training has been initiated, while arrangements are being rushed to graduate two classes ahead. Mr. Baker also pointed out that the feeling between West Point and Annapolis was naturally such that playing of the football match would involve much training and preparation. Jle does not think that this energy should be devoted at thia time even for the advantage of raising a war fund.