New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-27
FOOTBALL IN BALANCE.
First MoCe To-day Looking to the
Reform of the Game.

The first real move looking to the reform Of
football by a revision Of the rules and modfca-
tons Of the game will be made to-day at the
first regular session Of the American intelcol-
legiate football rules committee. 1t will be the
most important conference for gridiron Iegisla-
ton ever held. as the committee must practi-
cally work out the salvation Of the game. Since
the season closed last fall there has been a gem
eral upheaval in the football world. that has
been felt from end to end of the country Radi-
cal measures have been adopted by ex-
tremists and the probing has been so deep that
in point Of fact the fate of football seems to
hang in the balance, dependent largely on what
action the football rules committee takes.
1t is not likely that the committee will COM
pete its laoors to-day. A new code may be pre-
pared, as the subcommittee have been working
diligently to get the various suggestions for re-
form in tangible shape. Even If the new rules
are outlined however they are not likely to be
formally adopted until such time their value
can be demonstrated in actual play under the
plan Of arranging for a field laboratory as sug-
geSted when the old and new committees ANAL
gamated some two weeks ago. when the tests
have been made and the efficiency of the changes
- !" ~ i"''f ~ "' ''i''''0 fN1'i~' N-IN ~
till then. if a well defined rumor concerning the
subject can be depended
The changes as suggested by the Harvard
graduate committee which gave the subject
much thought and care. viii, in all probability,
be the basis on which the committee viii work
The session will begin at 10 o'clock this morn
ing, and it is likely 10 he continued well into the
evening. Much certainly should be accomplished
I'm that time
While the committee as q whole and eaGh in
dividual member stand I'm q delicate position
". r. Reid. jT., of Harvard. and the delegates
which represent the Big Nine" Of the Middle
West including A. A Stage DR.. II. T. Will
Jams and James II. Lees, must feel particular
responsibility. as. failing to make radical
enough changes. the game will be suspended
at Harvard and special rules framed by the
Big Nine"
The Board OF Overseers Of Harvard decided
TO abandon football until such time as il could
pass definitely on the proposed changes while
the big Nine" took quite as radical position
when il was recommended that the game Of
football. as played at present, be abolished as
an intercollegiate and collegiate contest In the
big Nine" colleges; that the conference await
from the American football rules committee
such notifications OF the playing rules as will
free the game from brutality and unnecessary
danger; that, I'm case such alterations are not
sufficient, the conference viii delegate a com
mittee TO draw up rules of its own and that If
q satisfactory game can thus be established the
recommendations adopted by to-day's confer
ence shall apply 10 its conduct and management
1t is confidently believed by the friends of
football that the committee will make changes
which viii meet all requirements. even If failing
to satisfy the extremists.