ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MORE GENERAL ATHLETICS.

Today is the last day on which members of the University may enter the fall handicap track meet to be held next Thursday. Inasmuch as the Freshman meet last Friday did not reveal much exceptional material, the importance to future University track teams of a large turn-out and some good records this week is very great. But, aside from this, an event of this sort is valuable to the men who compete, socially as well as physically. Athletics that are open to all, and not restricted to the few men of unusual ability, are becoming more and more popular, and deserve the support not only of the undergraduates, but of our athletic managers as well.

Heretofore the open track meets have been well supported; scrub football is partially coming to life in the Freshman tournament, and dormitory rowing is now a well-established part of our fall athletics.

So much for the attitude of the undergraduates. That of the athletic authorities has not been so encouraging. Tennis courts have made their appearance on Soldiers Field and so restricted the available ground for scrub athletics that Leiter cup baseball, which in 1906 gave exercise and amusement to 200 men, had to be abandoned. Last year the cricket team could not find grounds to play on. There is plenty of unimproved land on Soldiers Field, but as yet we have heard of no steps taken toward making it available for use. It is hard to believe that the importance of a prompt payment of the debt on the Stadium is greater than that of supplying grounds for the men who want to play games for sport's sake.