New-York tribune., 1905-12-29
REFORMS NOT RADICAL.
coutipusd from first page.

Athletic Association Before the meeting had
proceeded far It was perfectly evldsnt that there
were two factions, one which advocated that the
sport be controlled by committee appointed by
the conference. to aot entirely independent OF
the present rules COMMITTEES; the other. In favor
of amalgamating with the old committee and
having virtually one committee.
The Independent party was led by Professor
M r. Bogart of Columbia University, while
the more conservative faction was commanded
by Captain Palmer e. Pierce, OF West Point.
It was about IL o'clock in the morning when
the fight began, and for more than five hours
football was thrashed out from to z. During
all this time Captain Pierce was in the thick Of
tbs fray, and he received able support from DR..
II. L. Williams Of the University Of Minnesota,
and W. B. Burt, of the Kentucky State Univer-
sity.
The Army representative said that West Point
had an agreement to play the Navy next year
and could not be bound by any agreement that
would prevent that game. Continuing. he said;
West Point is the most democratic institution
IN the world. We would not like to prevent any
cadet from playing football any other sport,
providing he can pass the mental and physical
There are other institutions stronger than We
are. What would be the result If two committees
formulated rules? Football would be in
chaotic condition. Things would be in the same
condition as they are in Canada to-day, where
the teams play under several sets of rules. West
Point would play Harvard one day under one
set of rules. and maybe few days later 1t
would play Trinity under another set.
Then followed a long and interesting discus
sion. The main issues were whether the COM
rnittee appointed by the conferences should con-
sist OF five, seven or eleven members. and
whether the conference rules committee should
arnalgamate with the present rules committee.
Chancellor MacCracken was plainly in favor Of
IL. -
lieved with him that the present conference
should act independently of those who IT was
said had done much to ruin the game. He was
for a committee of eleven, while Captain Pierce
maintained that five was the proper number If
arnalgamation with the present rules committee
was to be considered. After almost everybody
had expressed their views sort Of compromise
was effected, and the resolution to have the
committee made up Of seven members adopted
In making his plea for conservative action Cap
tain Pierce said in part:
West Point does not desire revolution, but re-
form. have tried to see how the suggestions
which have been offered are better than those
Point has submitted, but am sorry to say that
cannot. It would be better to have one set OF
poor rules than two sets which might be a little
better. Few Of the evils should be laid TO the
doors Of the present rules committee
7 think we can have arnalgamation- II we
don't act in a conservative way we will surely
divide our athletic world. Some Of you think
football is brutal We want hard game,
strenuous game, a game which teaches quick
ness, alSTtHeSS, ndQltnSSS and courage. If we
want some great reform take the asso-
citation game. but it won't answer the purpose.
We want reform. not revolution; and this can
best be accomplished by getting representatives
on the football rules committee who will voice
our sentiments. The rules committee is now
working along the lines we desire.
Chancellor MaeGraeken asked Captain Piercs
If he had any reason to believe that the rules
committee would be willing to amaisanaate.
He replied that friend Of member had re-
Gently told him that there was no doubt that it |
would be willing to arnalgatnate. He said, how |
ever, that the statement was not authoritative |
With the rules COMMITTEES disposed of, the !
question of the general morale of the game was |
taken up and discussed at length. Professor |
Bogart. of Columbia, offered a set OF resoIu- |
tions, which were enthusiastically adopted with |
a few minor changes, as fo11owsl
whereas, This conference recognizes that Ger
tain faults and abuses have developed in the
conduct and playing OF the game OF football
throughout the United States. which are not in
accord with the ethical standards aod true spirit
OF sportsmanshtp which should govern inter
collegiate competition; and
Whereas, 1t is the earnest desire OF colleges
and universities represented In the conferences to
remedy these faults and abuses and to place
est possible plane OF ethics and sportsmanship;
and,
whereas, 1t is believed that this result can
best be obtained with an active aid and CO.
operation Of the coaches and graduate COM
n1ttees OF the various institutions; It Is there
tore
Resolved That the conference strongly con-
iemn as dishonorable and unworthy of an Amer
can college or university the practices (1) of
Offering inducements to players to enter uni
versities because OF their athletic ability and of
or maintaining q player while 8
student, either by athletic organization or indi-
Eidual alumni or otherwise directly or indirectly
~ The singing out Of students OF preparatory
schools who have shown exceptional athJetio
ability, and endeavoring TO influence them to
enter particular university either through the
known as rushing" CD The playing OF men
% injure members Of opposing teams including
zneeing, kicking. striking with cIenehed fsts
)r other forms OF sluggfng
And for the further purpose of CARRYING ont |
hs spirit as we'll the letter of the foregoing |
this conference recommends: (a( That |
he colleges and universities assume the re- |
possibility for the violation of the letter or |
pirit OF the resolution by our respective 9oofhaIJ
organizations. OBJ That they use every sfforS |
o prevent and discourage violation OF ArticIas |
and OF the resolution by students alumni or |
'ther. persons acting in any capacity whatever |
81 That they hold coaches and members Of |
ootball committees personally responsible to |
heir respective colleges or universities for the |
oHduet OF players on the field and particriarI,y |
hat they hold the head coach to a personal "a |
ponsibility for any infraction OF the rules Re-
ore the engagement OF any coach or the an
continent Of any. committeeman shall be sane
Toned, such coaches or comriitteen man shaiI he |
equired 20 pledge themselves to observe the
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