New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-08
NEW RULES COMNITTEE.
Body to Bring Colleges Together
May Be appointed To-day.

It was gratifying to those interested in football
reform to learn last night that West Point would
send delegates to the football conference to be held
at the Murray Hill Hotel this morning. It was
generally believed that this decision of West Point
was the result Of intima ton from the President
that It would be well to join the conference and
as in large measure foreshadowing his views
In this connection it is recalled that only
few days ago William T. Reid the head coach Of
Harvard. with Herbert White also of Harvard,
was in Washington in consultation with the Pres
ident the football situation Mr. Reid had
hardly returned to Cambridge when there was
hasty calling together OF the rules committee, and
yesterday The Tribune announced exclusively the
position Harvard had taken in football and that
the rules committee had been given TO understand
that these reforms be brought about there
would be no football at Harvard next season.
When the position of Harvard the resolutions
adopted by West Point and the stand taken by Co
lumbia compared, it is seen that there is
close similarity among them.
The main point in each is a demand for rules
committee that will be absolutely responsible to the
institutions it is supposed TO represent. Harvard
has said that the rules committee must be response
bic the universities. West Point says practically
the same Columbia takes almost the same position
as West Point
Columbia and West Point therefore, enter the
conference day substantially in accord Ostensi
bly, Columbia has abolished football and the only
point which she confer is a substitute for
the game. AS matter of fact her delegates go TO
the meeting without the slightest idea of proposing
a substitute. They go there work for the ap-
pointment of a committee that will charged with
the duty Of bringing the colleges together in the
appointment of such a representative rules COM
mittee Columbia has declared TO be necessary to
the proper reformation of the game and for its
future. -euVe a-sE1
The call of Chancellor MacCracken was welcomed
Columbia because it was believed that the pro-
posed conference offered the best vehicle for bring
ing abouAthe reforms that Columbia deems neces-
sary and the abolition of the game there was in
reality declaration independence Of the present
rules committee and measure taken TO leave Co
lumbia free and unfettered in her attempts at
form. 1t has never been considered by those who
guide the athletic policies Of Columbia that the
delegates to the conference were competent either
to propose changes in the way football IS to be
played or to adopt substitute for it. but it was
believed that the conference could take the neces-
sary steps to get together body Of men who
compile rules that will be satisfactory in every re-
spect to the institutions concerned.
The Columbia Club, in Gramercy Square on
Wednesday night adopted resolutions asking the
university authorities to defer action on football
until April Is. Among those present at this meet
ing w. r. Morley. David Smyth. D. II.
Browne, r. L. Won Bermuth. John Wright and T.
Ludlow Chrlsty. Concerning this meeting. the
athletic authorities said that the way to gain the
restoration of football would be to back the uni
versity in its work instead of begging the author
tiles restore football in any old form, long as
it football.
New-Eork University goes into the conference
having declared for the abolition Of football but it
Is hoped that her representatives be induced to
join the movement for reform rather than abolish
ment With the powerful backing of West Point
Columbia hopes to accomplish much in this direc-
ton
Thirteen colleges and universities have sgnifed
their intentions of being represented the confer
ence. The are New-York University represented
by Chancellor MacCracken and F. H. Cam, athletic
director; Columbia by Professor Marsten T. Bogert
and Francis s. Bangs, chairman of the university
committee on athletics; Syracuse by Dean Frank
Smalley and Professor Henry a. Peck; Rutgers by
Professor Louis Beyier jr, chairman of the faculty
committee on athletics. and Professor John 3.
Smith president Of the managers of athletic assO-
ciations Stevens Institute by President Alexander
c. Humphreys and a representative OF the athletic
association; Rochester by President Rees and DR..
Stroud: Lafayette by President Warfeld and Pro-
fessor Marsh: West Point by Colonel Robert l.
Howe commandant of cadets, and Captain Palmer
e. Pierce army representative of the football asso
citation and Haverford, Union Wesleyan Trinity
and Fordham, which have not named their repre-
sentatives.