New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-14
FOOTBALL MERGER PLAN
THE MAJORITY TO RULE.
Field Laboratory to Experiment Srith
the Rules Proposed.

71a a-oerican rntercollegiate Football Rules
Committee as il is now called since the ANAL
samation of the two committees late Friday
night held its first session IN the early hours or
yesterday morning An organization was er-
fected, a method OF procedure decided on. and
four subcommittee were appointed, looking 70
the revision Of the rules and notifications or re-
forms in the game. William T. Reid, jr., secre-
tary Of the committee. made formal announce
ment yesterday oc the action taken. follows:
/. The committee IS 10 he known the
American Intercollegiate Football Rules Com
mittee.
. 1t was moved and carried that eight mem
bers Of the committee shall constitute a quo
rum and that eight votes shall be necessary to
constitute vote OF the committee.
3. 1t agreed that members OF the COM
mittee unable TO attend a meeting may send al
ternates substitutes.
4. That as q guide TO action four sub-com-
mittees be appointed, the first 20 suggest pro-
visions for eliminating brutality and foul play;
the second to make suggestions looking 10 the
opening Of the game: the third TO make sugges-
tions as TO the best ways and means for the
appointment OF central body OF officials: the
fourth to consider and suggest propositions
looking 10 a field laboratory.
The subcommittee were appointed as fol-
lows:
Committee on Eliminating Brutality and Foul
Play-John c. Bell, Pennsylvania. chairman; F.
Homer Curtis, Texas; DR. James a Babbitt,
Hsverford and Paul DASHED, Letigh.
the Game-Walter Camp. Yale. chairman; E. X.
Hail. Dartmouth, and w. T. Reid. jr.. Harvard.
Committee Suggestions as TO Ways and
Means OF Appointing Central Board Of Officials
DIR. James A Babhitt. Haverford, chairman;
W. T. Reid. jr.. Harvard. and Professor l.
NJ. Dennis, Cornell.
Committee on propositions looking toward a
feld ahoratory-Lieutenant Charles d. DAILY
West Point, chairman: Professor ]. b. Fine
Princeton and c. w. Savage. Oberlin.
The sub-committees were instructed to report
20 rhe NJ he
will take place Saturday. January 81 at 10
g. m, IN this city.
The most important steps taken We're adopting
the majority rule instead OF the unanimous con-
sent plan under which unfavorable method the
old committee worked. and the appointment Of
a committee looking toward a field laboratory.
II is claimed by some that football came TO its
present pass because OF the rule providing for
unanimous consent before any changes or re-
visions could be made in the rules. II made IL
possible for one man TO block any legislation
which did not particularly appeal TO him. Under
The majority rule the best interests OF the game
can be conserved.
The plan 10 have a field laboratory IS a novel
and distinctly practical one. II is proposed 10
have two teams give practical demonstration
OF the rules. tentatively agreed on. IN the
presence Of the rules committee before the rules
are finally adopted. In other words. the pro-
posed changes will be subjected TO exhaustive
experiments boy sctual lineup TO determine II
the legislation decided on Will accomplish the
purpose which is desired in the matter OF open
ing up the game and lessening the chances for
an evasion OF the rules
This action VIII meet. I'm part DR. Elots
views OF suspendng the game for a year TO work
out its salvation by an actual playing test
The amalgamation OF the two committees met
with general approval among football men yes
tercay, and the plans announced cannot
but satisfy those who demand ha mos
changes The committee will spare no time or
means 10 MAKE the reformation such that the
game can be retained with all its good features
and 10 the exclusion OF the characteristics which
have brought IL into some disrepute.