The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-13

nary ability. Faster ends would be-
come a necessity.
pears that without other notifications,
it would hurt the game. At present
yards is bitterly hard work for teams
to make, and to gain 10, something
would have to be done to materially
increase the effectiveness of offense.
Otherwise the big games would I'M
doubtedly be reduced to mere farcical
exhibitions without consistent gaining
by either side, with little scoring and
with most of the TALES made due to
''f1ukes.''
Following are opinions of experts on
Camps new idea:
By +. III. Yost.
Ann Arbor, Mich, Dec. 13.-I would
consider Mr.. Camps rule imprac-
ticable. The game would develop into
a kicking contest and nothing else.
Only the biggest teams would have
any show. The teams would find it al
new system except on a fiuke. OF
course, I am going on the supposition
that the other rules would remain the
same. If the teams cannot gain 5
That's how I look at the proposition.
BY Head Coach Harvard.
Cambridge, Mass, Dec. 13.-I do
not agree with Mr.. Camp that the
change which he proposed would have
the effect of doing away with the mass
of past years has proved that against
the strong, scientific defense of a big
college football eleven, all of whose
players are working in unison to stop
the opposing teams play, mass plays
are the only sure way of making
steady gains. The science of defense
has developed tCs such an extent that
end runs and Tuck plays are smoth-
cred before they are under way. A
change in the rules making it neceS-
sary to gain 20 yards instead of 5
would not change the style of play, in
my way of thinking, but would have
the effect of having the ball change
hands oftener or else of producing a
game in which kicking played a larger
part than it does at the present time.
BY Walter Mccormack.
Chicago Dec. 13.-I think the idea
is good one, and expect it to result
in much more open football than the /
present rules permit. 1t will give the |
lighter men chance to get into the |
the rules now in force. AT the present |
time it is impossible for any man |
under 175 pounds to get a |
place in the back field of any college |
that 10 yards will be needed, the |
style of play of play will have to be |
from the heavy bucking |
game to plays around the end, and the |
on all of the teams. The |
teams having a good punter will have |
a great advantage, but the principal |
effect of the ruling would be the |
the end runs. and the more open
game which would result.
BY j. Cochems.
Madison, Wis, Dec. 13.-I am not in
favor of Mr.. Camps scheme. It would
place the game largely in the hands
of two kickers and would destroy the
scientific part of the sport If people
want the old association game of
football, let them have it, but there is
no sense in spelling a good game to
give it to them. The demand for the
open game comes from the spectators.
The reason for this demand is that
they can readily tell who is carrying
the ball. To remedy this I would
make the old suggestion that each
player have a large number on his
back, just a track athlete has.
BY III. n. Williams.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Dec. 13.-The
proposed new rule would make rad |.
Ical change in football. If the other
rules as they exist today remain the
same and the change is introduced, it
will result in forcing an immense
amount of kicking. In fact, VIII make
the game of football largely kicking
game. If, however, with the introduce
ton of the proposed change the com
nittee should allow return to the
old gridiron, and permit the rule call
ing fer at least five men on the line,
with two men either outside or yards
back, as formerly, and allow the quar-
ter back to run without restriction,
not making it necessary for him to
pass the line yards outside of CEN
ter, an exceedingly brilliant game
would result.
In order consistently to gain 10
Yards in three plays a team would be
absolutely obliged to use an open
style of play. If this proposed change
should so into effect, the other rules
as they are today, touch
downs would be made but seldom, and
for the most part upon plays in nature
Of fukes, such as after block kick, a
fun1bled punt, and so forth, or on an
occasional scratch run or individual
brilliant play in an open field, which
happens but seldom when the teams
are equally matched.
The formation allowed by the rules
Of two years ago, requiring five men
on the line and two outside, permits
wonderful possibilities for brilliant
open play, while allowing the quarter
back to run without restriction would
introduce an element of uncertainty
and brilliance that would make the
game immensely popular with the
specta tors.
Collins After Hughes
Boston, Dec. 13.-On the best of au-
.hority, it can be stated that Manager