The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-20

Rush, tackle and buck with the reasons
and excuses therefor We're the principal
topics discussed last night by the Yale
alumni at their annual dinner at sher-
rys In New York.
Yale had 900 alumni gathered about the
mahogany. and the chief speakers outside
OF the pres sdent and the coach were Nor
ris G. Osborne. so, Amos L. Wilder 81.
and Julian w Curtis, %. IL was expect
ed that Secretary Tart would lend the
weight OF his presence 20 the meeting
but instead he sent a letter In which ne
upheld the game as IL is played today.
President Hadley, OF Yale, was greeted
with tumultuous applause when he arose
20 speak He said in part
Football is major sport, IKE hunt-
ing or deep-sea sainng. Like them, II
involves much physical hardship and
some physical danger To understand
why people incur mis- hardship and dan
ger man must have what is known as
sporting blood II e does not have this
all major sports as practced by their
devotees will seem 10 him irrational and
absurd.
FOOTBALL LEAST DANGEROUS.
among all major sports football has for
college students the double advantage OF
being the most democratic and the least
dangerous During the 80 years we have
played Rugby football at Yale there has
been no death. and TO the best OF my
knowledge no grave case OF permanent
injury
"The possibility Of unfair play perhaps
constitutes a graver evil than the posi-
bility OF accident. IL an institution In
tends to play unfairly do not play with
that institution next year. If YOU arc
not prepared 10 adopt this remedy then
keep quiet
There will indeed always he men who
under the spur OF the moment do things
that they ought not TO do. We try 20
teach them better. and l. for one, feel
worse when Yale man disregardS these
teachings than / could feel over half
-slozer teferts-f Harvard UT1t Primer
ton the justice 10 believe that they are
not actuated by the same spirit.
MODIFICATION FOR EXPERT.
"As for notifications OF the rules we
are content TO leave that matter In the
hands OF Mr.. Camp, and we are glad that
the reforms looking toward open play are
likely to be realized. We believe that foot
ball rules should be framed as far as pos
sibIe by football experts. In this view
the faculty OF Yale Is practically unani-
nous.
'In dealing with the evils OF athletic ex-
pendlture the case is different. This Is
n matter which has come directly under
the consideration OF the university coun-
Gil and n committee OF that body Is soon
20 report on plans for cutting off unneces-
sary or improper expense.
THE extravagant interest In football
presents n harder problem to deal with
than the extravagant use OF football
money. 1t Is not the football players
themselves who have the most exagger-
ted estimate OF the Importance OF the
game. 1t IL the spectators rather than
the players. The trouble is not that foot
ball is too much played, but that 1t is too
much talked about.
LET us be thankful that the tempo
rary withdrawal OF Harvard from inter
collegiate football comes under conditions
which strain no friendship and threaten
no rupture: 80 that it leaves us free To
deal with the zeal problems OF football"
THE game" said Walter Camp refer
ring in one sentence to football and 70
Yale, has reached the point where ~ is
comparable 10 the rabbit chased by the
dog-the rabbit has either 10 climb a tree
or be caught. and he probably will climb
n tree"
Camp suggested the elimination Of mass
plays and the adoption Of the rule Of long
er runs He favored the tackle above the
knees He said the total injuries on the
Yale team last season were only %. OF
which II were inconsequental strains and
bruises The only serious hurt was one
fractured rih