Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09
Gridiron Game to Be Re
formed, Not Abolished.
TO CHANGE RULES
SIX FAvORITES LOST AT CITY
PARK YESTERDAY.
Bowling Battles-Butler to Keep Trot-
ters' Winnings-Army-N Navy Game
for New York.

Representatives of thirteen universities
and colleges. called together by Chancellor
McCracken OF New York University to con-
slider the foot ball situation, met at the
Murray Hill Hotel, New York. yesterday.
and after much talk on the subject IT was
voted not to abolish the game. but to re-
form It. The resolution was passed. Is to s.
end those present stood as follows:
In favor of abolishing the game-Stevens,
one: Columbia, two Union two; Rochester.
one; New York University. two.
In favor of reforming the game-Wes-
leyan, two; Rutgers, two: Haverford, two;
Swarthmore, two; Syracuse, two; Roches-
ter. one; West Point, two; Fordham. two.
President Rhees of Rochester and Cham
cellor McCracken were among those who
voted to blot out the game. 1t was signifi-
cant that those colleges arrayed against the
sport have made poor records on the grid
Iron the past season. The two representa-
tives from Lafayette, President Warfield
and Prof. Marsh. refused to vote. Neither
Yale, Harvard. Princeton Pennsylvania nor
Cornell was represented.
According to the call these questions were
to be discussed
1. Shall the game be abolished entirely?
2 If not, what reforms shall be enacted?
D. IL dpoiiSiiChp "idI SdiiiO oiioii NC Sun
stituted?
Col. Howe of West Point proved a strong
defender of the game He said it needed
some notifications, but that the West Point
authorities were heartily in favor of it. The
Rev. ]. c. Hart of Fordham said he did not
desire to see the game abolished. but did
want some reforms. The only delegates
who looked anything like players them
selves We're Col Howe and Capt. Pierce,
the other West Point representative, and
DIR. w. S. Cummings of Swarthmore.
A rules committee to govern foot ball was
favored. to consist of representatives of the
various Institutions. and to be responsible
to their appointing bodies. Invitations will
be sent to every college in the country
where the game Is played to appoint one
delegate annually. From these delegates 1t
is proposd to select eleven members to for
mulate rules for the game.
1t was resolved that no one shall be eligi-
BILE as delegate who has received compen-
sation for his connection with athletics,
whether as a player coach, official at a
game. director or in any other capacity ex-
cept as member of a college faculty.
Over 200 invitations will be sent to the
various institutions and colleges to appoint
delegates and have them meet for the first
time in New York city on December IS.
The idea in the formulation of rules is to
make the game less dangerous and make
changes which will bring about the detec-
ton of foul or brutal play.
A resolution dscourag ing foot ball In high
and preparatory schools was proposed by
Francis S. Bangs of Columbia, seconded by
Dean Frank Smalley of Syracuse and passed
unanimously. Two reasons were given. One
was the strenuous character of such games
and the other the immaturity of the play
ers. A copy of this resolution will be sent
to all the educational bodies in the country.
In New York city the board of education
will be appealed to.
Besides those mentioned. some of the 9TH
ers present at the conference yesterday
We're: Prof Stroud of Rochester, Prof. F.
H. Pam of New York University, Francis
ONeil of Fordham. Prof G. A. Hoadley of
Swarthmore. Dr. H. L. Towne and Prof.
Opedyke of Union, Prof. Louis Bevier, jr.,
and Prof. John B. Smith of Rutgers, Mars
ton T. Bogert of Columbia. President Alex
ander c. Humphrey of Stevens Institute.
President B. p. Raymond and Prof. 8. ".
Coffin of Wesleyan. DR.. f. A. Babbltt and
NJ H. March of Haverford and Prof Henry
A. Peck of Syracuse.