The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-15
WALTER CAMP
HAS AN IDEA
Suggests an important Change
In Football Rules.
TEN YARDS INSTEAD OF FIVE
BELIEVES THIS WOULD DO
AWAY WITH MASS PLAYS.

Chicago, Dec. 14.-Football men all
over the west are discussing Walter
Camps proposition TO increase the dis
tance to be gained in four downs from
five yards to ten yards.
The suggestion Of Yale's famous ath-
letic mentor has not met the storm
OF disapproval which greeted his first
ruling when in 1855. in order to pre-
vent the block game, which had
practically killed the sport. he pro-
posed the present five yards rule,
which has been in existence ever since.
The excellence of the rule has been
Iroved for it has endured since the
carly SOS, and only the improvements
in the game suggest the need Of a re-
vision which Will tend to make the play
more open, more spectacular, more in
teresting to the general public that sup
ports the sport by paying its way in 10
see the games.
The simplicity of Camps suggestion
is what appeals most to the football
experts. players and coaches.
The great trouble with most sug-
gested revisions Of the rules" said
Fckersall, discussing the proposed
changes, els that they would necessi-
tate revision Of many secondary rules,
the complication of the game which
would tend to make it hard for the publ
lie TO understand what the play was all
about.
4 believe the rules as they stand are
Eood enough. and that the single reVi-
sion suggested by Mr.. Camp would go
a long way toward making the play
more open and interesting.
The coaches would have to evolve a
novel style OF play to meet the require
rrents OF greater ground gains. II
should make scoring more frequent and
otherwise add 10 those features of the
game the public is most deeply inter-
ested in
Former Captain Speik of the Maroons
agrees with Eckie:
Il think the suggestion would make
an Improvement in the game, and am
glad to hear that Mr.. Camp has taken
the matter up. If it SHOULD be made a
rule, 1t will do away with the close
pushing style of play, ana make clever
ness and skill of more Importance and
strength and weight Of less Importance
both things 10 be desired in my opin-
ion"
Charles A. Reuber. captain of North
western. said: I'VE are heartily in
favor Of Mr.. Camps proposition, as il
Short gains, made by beef alone, and
netting only a yard or two. will not
aggregate enough in three downs, Sc
that speed and sciencs will be the
Qualities that count
Harry !. Allen, former plain North
western: The open game which would
result from the adoption of Walter
Camps suggestion would be a great
Improvement for the spectators as wei
$ for the players themselves. Weight
alone viii cease to win games, and in
senuity in planning plays. backed by
skill and speed in executing them. viii
Fe the winning factor in future contest:
If the ten-yard rule is adopted"
Evarts Wrenn, the best football off
Cial in the west, said: Walter Camr
is without question the closest student
OF the game in this country. and,
presume, believes the change feasible
without serious detriment to the game
Personally, / would like to see the ex
pertinent tried, although il looks as /
such a change would result in nothin,
but frequent kicking. 1 have grea
faith in what Mr.. Camp says. so
know he has the interests Of the spor
at heart and is well qualified t,
speak"
Edgar N Wrightington, Harvard
iledu cOdcn, says. Il do not agree wit
AIR. Camp that the change which h
proposed would have the effect Of do
ing away with the mass momentum
plays A change in the rules maxim,
q necessary to gain ten yards instea,
of five would not change the STYLE o
tIay, TO my way Of thinking, but woul
ave the effect of having the bal
change hands oftener or else of pro
cucing a game in which kicking playe
larger part than it does at the pres
fnt time"