New-York tribune., 1906-12-03

the most successful. the most interesting and the
| most exciting in the history Of the sport. This
was largely due to the revised rules and the bet
ter game which they produced. 1t is cause for
congratulation that the sport has been saved
| through the earnest efforts of those who legis-
lated so wisely and we'll last winter when the
outlook dark. The game trial
this fall and the best judges have pronounced 1t
a success, and do not hesitate to express them
selves forcby the subject, even while sug
gesting a few minor changes This is highly
gratifying to those who worked so long and hard
to pull the game out Of the slough into which 1t
had fallen and to the friends of football who
have been so enthusiastic with their support.
Many of the changes were looked on as imprac-
teal before the season began but those who
came to scott remained TO praise The big
games furnished a striking illustration of the
beauties of the new football in the diversity of
the play-the spectacular situations. the oppor-
tunity for strategic moves and the freedom from
rough and unfair tactics. The game has been
reformed without being revolutionized; the
game has been improved without the loss of it's
mgst essential characteristics. Now that the
playing is the Legislative period will
begin again 1t might be we'll If the rules COM
mittee let we'll enough alone for another season
at least beyond making a few interpretations,
and allow more time for tle deVelopLlent OF the me
new game; but suggestions are coming from all
quarters, and Foster Rockwelrs emphatic Let
'em alone" may be overruled
The meeting Of the Middle Atlantic football
committee in Philadelphia last Friday evening
and the suggestions adopted for submission to
the general rules committee give some idea of
what may be expected. The forward pass is
generally recognized having done much to
open up the play and most of the suggestions
look to enlarging 1t and making 1T more
effective by removing many Of the restrictions
which now ,urround it. The changes generally
favored wolN substitute a 1o-yard penalty for
the loss of TN ball when forward pass hits
the ground; would permit two forward passes
in one scrimmage If the first did not cross the
line Of scrimmage, and would favor the abol-
ton of the 5-yard rule in making the pass.
These amendments would undoubtedly make for
good. The other changes suggested are less i'm
portant, although none the less interesting. The
player catching the punt hardly needs any more
protection; the ends as it is have trouble enough
in covering punts and preventing the ball being
back To permit tackling below the knea
would be acceptable to all players and would not
be more dangerous, while being far more effec-
tive. The playing time should be increased to
halves OF thirty-five or forty minutes each The
new game is less exhausting, thanks to the
neutral zone between the lines of scrmmage,
and the time this year has been too short. OF
the twenty-sx important games that ended
with an o to this year at least one
half would have reached decision with
a little more time Yale undoubtedly would
have beaten Princeton, Cornell could hardly
have failed to beat Pennsylvania, and Lafayette
might have gone down before Pennsylvania. If
changes are to be made one other would seem
advisable This has do with the rule requir-
ing gain of ten yards in three downs. Pos
session of the ball is necessary for scoring pur-
poses and tie games unsatisfactory. A we'll
known critic has suggested that one more rush
be permitted with the proviso that kick must
follow the failure to gain ten yards in three
tries Under the present rule three attempts at
rushing are allowed. but the ball is forfeited
the failure gain the required ten yards
In consequence punt Is usually called for il
there is more than two or three yards to gain
after the second try. This would be a COM
promise between those who raVor increasing the
I,t,,ha nf 70 Four
any change in the present rule IL would
tend 10 return to the old close game and the
encouragement of mass plays. but II would en-
courage more running with the ball and make
possible the development of a more effective and
consistent attack.
The defeat OF the Army eleven on Saturday
came a surprise TO the majority of critics
who had seen Harvard. Yale and Princeton