The evening times., 1896-03-14

While nothing definite was accomplished
at the University Club OF New York yes
tcrday afternoon by the conference of
college football representatives, It is an
assured fact that changes will be made at
the meeting to be held In two weeks time.
At the meeting yesterday there were pres
ent John c. Bell, University OF Pen yiva-
mia; Alexander MOffatt and Capt. Garrett
Cochran. Princeton; j. ii. Sears, Harvard;
L. H. Dennis and Capt. Beacham. Cornell,
and Walter Camp, Yale. Mr.. Camp was
chosen chairman and secretary or the com
mittee and presided.
The first business taken up was the read
ing OF the conflicting rules in the Yale
Princeton and Harvard-Pen nsylvania- Cor
nell codes. Then a discussion as TO the
proper way 10 codify the rules followed,
after which the principal points. such as
the fair CATCH mass plays and number OF
officials were gone over in an informal
way.
As the delegates had no power TO act
officially for their respective colleges. and
consequently could not vote. they decided
To lay the whole question over until March
p, or two weeks from ton GROW night.
WITH POWER TO VOTE.
In the interim they will consult their
undergraduate players and Try to secure
the consent OF their colleges to meet again,
with power to vote one way or the other
on the various questions to come up.
They yfeelthatit wouldn ot be advantageous
to dra W up code of rules TO be submitted to
the different colleges, with a chance of their
being rejected for some petty reason. and
So they believe that the easiest way out of
the difficulty will be to attend the next
meeting ready 10 draw up rules that will be
final and which will govern the games
played by all the universities and schools In
this country.
The question OF the number Of men
to stand on the line and the number of
men to start before the ball is put in play
also came in for due consideration. There
appeared to be tendency TO do a way with
formations back of the line, but this point
met with quite an objection from Harvard.
II was explained that ii was not the inten-
ton OF the rule-make kers 10 so restrict mass
plays as 10 do away entirely with tricks
and strategy, but make an attempt to pre-
vent brutality and injury TO players.
After adjourning the delegates were In
terviewed, but seemed inclined to evade
direct questions. They explained. us no
vote had been taken on the points dis
cussed, there was ne,hing for publica-
ton. But IL was learned later that there
were several expressions OF opinion that
showed pretty nearly which way the wind
Will blow.
THE FAIR CATCH"
The fair catch was the principal theme
discussed by the delegates. The compro-
mise rule for this play. which was enforced
at the Harvard-Princeto on game and which
compelled the full-back TO touch the ball
To the ground after catching IL, If he in
tended TO run, met with considerable ap-
proval.
While it would be putting the case bit
too strongly to say that his rule would be
ultimately adopted, 1t would not be very
far out OF the way 10 predict that it might
prevail il certain minor changes in IT'S
wording could Ne made.
The idea OF having two umpires was not
received with much encouragement. Har-
ward and Cornell. both OF whom pla yed with
two officials of this sort last year. sur
prised the convention by declaring in favor
OF one umpire.
As Yale and Princeton also favored one
man, il is safe to say that the double UNI
pire scheme will fall through.
When asked if the Harrard-P rinceton
compromise code might be the groundwork
for the new rules, Alexander Moffatt said
that it was impossible to say He admitted
that there were many good points in the
compromise code and some bad ones, too,
but he declined TO say what they were.
At the next meeting P. ]. Dashiel Of Le-
high will be the sixth delegat and Will
have a vote.