The Topeka state journal., 1906-02-12
Ten Yards to Three Downs Is
the Latest Reform.
Gotham Experts Think This
Move Exceptionally Good.
OTHER CHANGES MADE.
One Forward Pass on a Play Is
Also Agreed Upon.
Important Meeting ofthe Inter
collegiate Committee.

New York Feb. 12-Ten yards to be
gained in three downs was the prin-
cipal football reform tentatively agreed
upon at a meeting of the national inter
collegiate football rules committee in
this city Saturday. This rule, if finally
adopted, the football experts believe,
Will do more than anything else toward
opening the game.
After the meeting, the secretary of
the committee, W. 7. Reid, jr., of Har-
ward, explained that none Of the rules
suggested either at this meeting or at
the conference two weeks ago had been
finally adopted. The committee is franz
ing a set of rules covering different
points Of the game, and when these are
all covered the completed rules then will
be voted upon.
The committee adjourned to meet
again Saturday, March 3, in this state.
In addition to agreeing upon the ten
yard rule, which exactly doubles the dis
tanee to be gained in three downs un-
der the playing rules of the past sew
eral years, the committee agreed upon
the following:
That evely player on the kicking side
shall be on side when the kicked ball
touches the ground.
That the question of affording proper
protection for the man catching the ball
be taken up and carefully defined at the
next meeting e..s-s
That one forward pass shall be al
lowed on a play. provided the ball does
not touch the ground before being
touched by player of either side.s Such
pass to be made by any man VINO
was behind the line Of scrimmage when
the ball was put in play If the ball
touches the ground before being touch
ed by a player of either side, it shall
on 4r "a a
which the pass was made. The pass
shall not be received by a man who was
on the line of scrimmage when the bail
was put in play, except for the two men
playing on the ends of the line when
the ball was put in play.
A direct lob over the line within the
space of five yards on each side Of the
center shall be unlawful.
The report of the subcommittee ap-
pointed to formulate suggestions rela-
tive to the formation of a permanent
board of officials was received and II
was agreed to make it public with
view to receiving suggestions from per-
sons interested in the game, some tok-
en- expressing the finer feelings OF every
member of the committee being asked
to invite criticism of the plan. The5suD-
committees s recommend ations are that q
central governing committee of three
or five be appointed as a subcommittee
of the intercollegiate rules body, to con-
stitute q national committee OF othclals.
IN aQGiLlOn to TINS COIlDllLlS6 II Is pAO-
posed that sectional committees OF
three each be appointed to represent
the different geographical sections of the
country or separate league groups. A
saIaried secretary is proposed to at
tend to the executive and clerical details
of the committees.
All universities and colleges accept
ing the provisions of the rules commit
tee prior to the fall of 1905 are TO SUD-
nit lists of all college men whom they
dnGiT1 HE and rOn7DRfRDL game
officials This list is to be carefully IN
vestfgated by the national and sectional
committees and q general official an
nouncement VIII be issued containing,
fs.st. a complete list of officials judged
competent by the central committee win
appropriate addresses.
The various games scheduled during
the season are to be Sub-dlvtded IN order
of collegiate importance to determine tne
remuneration of officials Inere are 70
he four classes, the remuneration grad
ing as follows; 800, $50 S25 and SO
COLLEGES and universities VIII be re-
o,,asfed TO select officials from the list
agreed upon. Reports VIII be received
as to the class of work rendered Dy tne
different officials and complete records
Some changes in the rules agreed
1non at the last conference were made.
70 prevent -piling up it was agreed that
the ball shall be considered oeau WAen
any portion OF tbs person ol eile ~ 'lilg fae+
with the ball, except his hands OF 1eel,
touches the ground when IN the grasp
of an opponent. ~ 49, he
taken off three times during each nalA
xvifbout a penalty. If thereafter, eltnef
.garfair7 requests that time be called,
his side shall be penalized by a loss OF
two Yards for each request, uhless tlls
injured player is removed from the
game.