The Washington times., 1906-09-16

First of all. when the rules committee
had "buckled down" to the real task OF
forming the new code. IL was agreed
that the question of penalties should
be taken up and something be done 10
end muckerism and roughing on the
field.
Almost all colleges complained of H..
Perhaps it viii interest some TO know
that some OF the colleges which were
most guilty OF savage play were most
eager to reform. a trait which IS not
wholly new in athletics.
tt was agreed that slugging in the line.
using the elbow in the line, kneeing
players, and covertly slapping players,
OF punching them. In order to lrritate
them into lighting back openly, were
practices which needed reformation.
First Of all. Il was decided that an extra
umpire would help much 20 prevent
work OF this character. Some believe
that an extra umpire ts only likely to
add to the confusion on the field, but
this year. at least, the extra umpire,
whenever desired, will be tried 70 as
certain what he may accomplish.
No Mild Punishments Here,
The penalties for rough play are ex-
tremely severe. Striking with the fist
elbow. heel OF the hand. using locked
hands in breaking through, kicking or
roughing the fullback after kick, will
result IN disqualification and the loss OF
half the distance 10 the goal line by the
offending side.
A PLAYER who is guilty of unsports-
manlike conduct, or who uses abusive
and insulting language TO opponents, or
officials. may be disqualified, although
his team shall not lose any distance be-
cause Of his punishment.
Not IN the history Of football have
there been any provisions so stringent
for regulation as those which have been
mentioned above. Players who are Of
tenders against the decency and order
OF the field viii rot be exempt Iroin
the severest punishment which can be
administered. A second disqualification
IN one season may mean the permanent
removal of the offending player Tor the
remainder OF the year.
II was admitted by one Of the mem
-0crs OF the rules committee that IL was
a rather shameful confession to be com
PEELED to insert such forceful regula-
tions in a sport which was particularly
a school and college pastime, but he
Of tho fact that all sorts OF violations
of the spirit Of the sport had crept into
the game. with the craze for winning
which had overcome the colleges.
Mania to Win.
While the rules committee was in ses-
sion Walter Camp, IN the course OF a
conversation, said: "Inordinate desire
TO win has proved the curse of Ameri-
can football" From that ne cited vari-
GUS examples showing how the colleges
had lost sportsmanlike spirit. while they
had accumulated a. positive mania for
a winning eleven.
The halves have been shortened five
minutes each. It is agreed that a total
OF sixty minutes Of football Is quite
enough Some Of the games played in
recent years, with thirty-hve minute
halves. dragged so into the early au-
tusnn twilight that IL was almost out of
the question to distinguish the players
The onficials were all at sea. while the
spectators beheld nothing but dun mass
of ragged outline as the contending
bodies ran back and forth, The captain
will be allowed to ask for time only
three times within a half. This is a
good provision also. as 1t puts an end
10 the practice. which had become com
mon. Of appealing for time Ia order to
permit some exhausted players to fresh
en up. II a captain exceeds his limit.
every call for time after three viii re-
suit IN a loss OF two yards TO his side,
unless a player IS removed from the
Game