Page:The secret play (1915).djvu/236

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order, that Bingham, who evidently intended to say more, hesitated and finally sat down.

Several other speakers followed. One, a Senior named Lewis, spoke well and rationally. "I regret that previous speakers have seen fit to lay the blame for the state of affairs on Dick Lovering, our coach. He doesn't deserve it. Things don't seem to be going very well, and that's a fact, but I don't think there's anyone to blame for it. The trouble began when we lost Farrell. The team went on for some two weeks, I believe, without anyone in charge, and Captain White had everything to attend to, assisted, of course, by the manager. We all know that White tried his best to find a man to take Farrell's place, and that he couldn't do it. Then the Athletic Committee decided not to pay a salary this year, and that settled all chance of getting anyone with experience. As a last resort Captain White and some of the players went to Dick Lovering and asked him to coach the team. Lovering didn't ask for the place and didn't want it. He refused at first, I am told, and finally consented because White and the others wouldn't take No. Lovering has made no claims to be an experienced football coach. The fellows didn't think he was. But they had to