New-York tribune., 1905-11-29
HARVARD MAY ACT.
OUerseers Likely to Take Up Foot
ball Reform.

The announcement yesterday afternoon thai
the Harvard overseers are practically certain at
| the next meeting on December 13 to take up
the question of football reform brought much
joy to the hearts of those interested in the great
American college game
It has been recognized that the hope of re-
form lies with the three leading universities,
Harvard, Yale and Princeton. and that If they
do nothing It will remain for the smaller in
stitutions either to drop out Of the game alto
gether or else to follow the big fellows in the
present bone breaking contests. If one of the
big three can be induced to take up the ques-
ton then there is hope of reform without
them there would be hope of good to como
except in sporadic instances, where some coll
lege more Independent than it's fellows, vent
ured to abolish the game
To Harvard the eyes Of the optimists have
turned for that avenue Of hope that seemed
elsewhere closed. Yale has expressed itself sat
isfed with Walter Camp. and has said that it
sees no reason for a change. Princeton has
evinced desire for radical action.
Edmund Wetmore. of the Harvard board of
overseers, said:
'I have read President Eliot's statement in
reply to the telegram of Chancellor Mac
Cracken. and I think there can be no doubt
from what he said about the authority living
will take the question up at its next meeting.
It may be that the communication from Chan
cellor MacCracken will be laid before the board
by the president. but the board would be ouite
competent to consider the question on its own
initiative OF course I do not know what ac-
tlon the board will take. whether it will con-
slider abolishing football altogether, or will
take up revision of the rules by competent
cLVhat is vour own oninion Mr. yza+r,oo -, !,
was asked
Il" he replied. IAN strongly in favor Of
revision Of the rules / do not think that the !
game should be continued as it is at present |
played. OF course, not familiar with the |
rules now. Football is different thing to-day !
from what it was twenty years ago when was |
at college, and l know 1t to-day only from a |
spectators point Of view, but L should saw
that a change is needed.
''It seems probable to me that the ovarsAars
will call before them competent authority and |
hear what those best in a position to speak
have to say about the situation 1t may be that
a radical change In the rules IS required and If
may be that il is only necessary to elforce the
rules strictly. do not know and / am
not In a position TO say now what direction the |
reform will take. but if l am to be Judge upon !
his question [ will take pains to inform nv
self before the meeting Of the board
THE Harvard overseers," he continued "arA |
he most truly deliberate body / know Living
10 widely separated as we do. there is little one
for an exchange of views except ar
he regular meetings and the consequences is
hat all subjects brought before US must be de-
tQed as tiiS result OF argument and deib- |
ration You may be sure that this oues
ior as all others. Will be thoroughly thrashed
,ut before any decision is reached by the
,oard."
Mr.. Wetmore intimated that he might bring
he subject of football before the meeting him
elf.
IF the subject is not introduced In any other
vay" he was asked will you bring 1t before
he meeting, Mr. Wetmore?'
Il cannot say that" he replied. 'T cannot
Undertake 10 say what my action viii be. Rut |
will be particular to be present ar the next |