The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-27
EARNEST MOVEMENT FOR
 REFORM IN FOOTBALL
INITIATIVE TAKEN BY THE UNIVERSITY OF PENN
 SYLVANIA.


 Roosevelt for Uniform Eligibility
 Rules and for Elimination of Unnec-
 essaTy ROughness, Brutality and
 Foul Play, a Circular Letter is Ad-
 dressed to Heads of Universities, COI-
 Ieges, Private Schools and Other In-'
 stitutiOns-Set of Rules Formulated
 Which 1t is Thought 1Iay Meet the
 Situation.
 Philadelphia, Nov. 26.-Following the suggestion of President Roosevelt for uniform eligibility rules in college ath- letics and for the elimination of un- necessary roughness, brutality and foul play the University of Pennsylvania has taken the initiative for the sug- gestel reforms, and has addressed a circular letter on the subject to the heads of all universities, colleges, pri- vate schools and other institutions in the United States interested in athlet- ics. This action was taken after a number of meetings of the university committee on athletics of Pennsylvania at which the presidents thoughts on the subject were discussed. The com mittee formulated rules which it thought would meet the situation, and decided to send them to the authori- ties of all educational institutions in the United States for consideration and adoption if they met with approval The letter is as follows:
 President Roosevelt in recent in- terview with member of this commit tee. (Professor White) expressed his opinion as to the urgent need of an ear nest and concerted effort to secure simplicity and uniformity in the eligi- bility rules of the colleges and univer- sities of this country
 Professor Hollis of Harvard has ex- pressed the same thought. In his opin- ion 'the backbone of college regulation of athletics rests in three rules:
 "A definition of professionalism.
 ''2A rule which would require all members of athletic teams to be gen. uine students of the college which they represent. and to be satisfactory in their studies.
 "3-A rule to prevent the procure ment of good players from other col leges by social or money inducements.
 The university committee on ath- letics of the University of Pennsylvania in an endeavor to cover these points, and to provide code which will meet all the desired requirements and thor oughness, and at the same time with brevity and clearness, has formulated the inclosed rules, and will advocate their adoption not only by their own institution, but by the others whom they may meet in athletic competition. It believes that they will provide for all the exigencies which have hitherto arisen, or that may arise, and if in terpreted and accepted in the broad spirit which was appropriately describ- ed by President Roosevelt as a gentle mans agreement will do away with the evils which have undoubtedly men aced Intercollegiate athletics, and will promote the best interests of clean, gentlemanly, amateur sport
 Tt therefore sends them to you for your consideration, in the hope that they may be generally adopted by the educational institutions of the country that meet one another in friendly ri- valry.
 "The committee begs to inclose a copy of a communication received by it from the board of coaches-through the chairlnan-which, (so far as it feels itself competent to deal with the tech- nicaities of footbalD meets, with it's approval, and is also submitted for consideration. The university of Penn sylvania is willing to request is repre- sentative on the football rules com mibtee to vote for the changes in pen- alties suggested in this communica- tion.
 "A reply conveying your opinion as 
 (Continued on Eighth Page.)