New-York tribune., 1905-11-21
PRESIDENT FOR FOOTBALL.
BELIEVES IN THE GAME.
AdUocates Uniform Code and De-
clares against Foul Play.
inv TeIerranh 10 The 1,ribune.I I


Philadelphia Nov 20.-That football should be
retained instead of abolished is the latest dec
Iaration of President Roosevelt. DR.. ]. William
White, of the University of Pennsylvania, was
to-day invited to take luncheon with the Presi-
dent for the purpose Of discussing the football
situation an outcome of Dr. Whites recent
defence of football in '"The Outlook" At the
conclusion of the luncheon the President author
lied DIR. White to make public certain conclu-
sions which had been reached. In addf-
ton to his belief In the permanent value of the
game, the President came out emphatically in
favor of the abolition of brutality and unfair
clay To eradicate these he declared that the
uInpires should be given greater power to deal
with the offenders.
The President also came out firmly in favor
of a uniform eligibility code among the leading
universities of the East and expressed the hope
that there would be a meeting OF the five or six
leading institutions for this purpose. He also
made use of this opportunity to explain why
Pennsylvania, Cornell and Columbia had not
been invited to the recent conference in Wash
ington at which the brutality OF the game had
been discussed President Roosevelt said that
the suggestion for this meeting had come from
the three colleges named and not from him, and
that if Pennsylvania Cornell and Columbia had
made the suggestion they alone would have
been invited The President made 1t understood
that there was purpose to ignore PennsyI-
vania- Cornell and Columbia
When Dr. White returned from Washington
he said:
The President did me the honor of asking me
to lunch with him at the White House for the
purpose of discussing with him the situation as
to American football An article of mine. pub
fshed in last weeks Outlook, was the occa-
sion of the invitation. AS TO what took place
during nv visit the President has permitted me
to saw that we are in complete accord as to the
need of permanent abolition of brutality and
fo1If nIav and of the increase of uhe powers Of
the officials and of the severity of the penalties
necessary to bring about such abolition; as 10
the desira bility of careful consideration Of any
change In the rules that may be required to
minimize danger while preserving the essential,
manly and vigorous characteristics Of the game,
and as the need OF earnest effort TO secure
q simple and uniform eligibility code Tor all
American colleges and universities.
The President enphatically believes in con-
tinuing the game
DR. White then quotes the President literally
as follows:
Brutality and foul play should receive the
same summary punishment given 10 man "ho
cheats at cards or who strikes Ioql Dlow Ia
boxing The umpire must have the WIDEST
latitude in enforcing this principle, even to
the extent of ordering not only -indivldual play
ers hut whole teams off the held, ana coilese
presidents should hold to the sharpest accounta-
biltty the umpire who permits foul or Drutal
football in any game. We want simple rules.
not complicated rules, because coIhplcateo luies
offer too many loophoIes
The responsible authorities OF the several col
leees whose teams play together should have
what may be called gentleman agreement
among themselves. The rules should be en-
forced in spirit as well in letter, each being
held responsible for what goes on in his own
college and each seeing to the permanent re-
movaI from the game not only of the foul or
brutal player. but of the man VINO IS not
bona fide student and amateur. 1t would be |
real misfortune TO lose so manly and vigorous |
game as football, and to avert such posi- |
b,1ftv the authorities in each college should see
n n tha@ the game at that college is Clean