THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE SYSTEM

"Against Harvard, Haughtonized, it is not a question of material; it is not a question of spirit. It is a question of coaching."

Such is the editorial answer of the Yale News to its own question,--"How did it happen?"

It is interesting to note this explanation of the Blue's disaster--an explanation which apparently would have us believe that the "Haughton system" depends upon a well-thumbed note-book full of football methods and gridiron strategy.

When the News writes Saturday's victory down as a triumph of system alone the News writes itself down as a faulty observer. There was a furnace courage and a Titan's strength in the Crimson eleven that made the forty-one to nothing score,--as much strength and courage as there was methodical instruction. But if the Yale News asked whence came the inspiration which wrought that courage into a spirited determination and that strength into an invincible tenacity, we point to Coach Haughton.

There are few Harvard graduates with the strong personality of this greatest of football tutors. No one can listen to him, can be near him when he is at his work, without becoming infused with something that transcends any coaching method or system. Only last season be took a baseball team, without its captain and under other disadvantages, and developed from that willing and able squad a nine that won the intercollegiate championship, taking the first two games of the Yale series.

Yale may try to find a man who can out-Haughton Haughton; it has taken Harvard many years to find him. Harvard doesn't develop many men with the inspiring force of Percy Haughton.