Though the Canadian game of ice hockey which has been introduced this year instead of polo has aroused considerable interest, it has scarcely received the general support that could be wished. This is possibly due to the inconvenience of going some distance to practice, and to the inevitable irregularity of practice owing to weather changes.
If, as suggested in another column, an artificial rink could be obtained on Holmes Field, the first of these difficulties would be entirely obviated, and the second rendered much less serious, as the rink could be flooded after snow storms and so provide good skating throughout a much longer period. The difficulty with such a proposal has been in former years that the baseball field could not be put in good condition after such an overflow. This would be a live objection today to a proposal to flood Soldiers Field, but as Holmes is not to be used for baseball this year, it can no longer be urged.
It certainly seems worth while to consider such a plan. There is published this morning a call for candidates to form a 1900 class hockey team. If such a team can be successfully started, other class teams will doubtless be formed and a good training school for the 'Varsity established. The men are green at the Canadian game, even at the preparatory schools the old ice polo is still in vogue, but it seems certain that the new game will be permanently adopted among the colleges. By the increased interest sure to be aroused through the formation of class teams, there is no doubt that the 'Varsity will be benefited, but it seems doubtful whether they can be formed while the difficulties of practice are so great.
Read more in Opinion
The Ninety-One Nine.