The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-07
Big Nine Leaders Talk Against
Seven-Game Rule.
Try to Make the Wolverines
Think 1t Will Be Killed.
RETURN AS THEY LEFT
Come Back to the Fold to Find
Lid Screwed Tight.
Declare 1t Would Be Silly to
Bow to Ann Arbor.

Chicago, Jan. 7.-Michigan out and
the seven game rule in will be the con-
ference status following the next big
nine" meeting, according to the state
ment made yesterday by an accredited
conference representative. The col
legiate authority announced that the
heightened schedule has every chance
of passing muster in June, but that
Mtchigan's withdrawal may be the con-
oitton Of It's adoption.
The delegate made the statement
that the bare majority vote accorded
the seven game rule on Saturday was
the result of desire to make the meas
ure appear to be in jeopardy. It was
the intention to inform Michigan in
this way that it would have to return
TO competition with the lid screwed
tightly down If at all.
The professors statement places an
entirely new light on the proceedings
of, the college delegates Instead of
seven game rule itself. the seeming OPP
position to the rule was in reality di-
rected against Michigan, it was init
mated.
According to the personal opinions ex-
pressed by the representatives it ap-
pears that the return of Michigan to
the fold is not desired as it was year
ago, and 1t is believed that the VOL
verines will scarcely think Of coming
back into competition, since they have
been placed in the position of having
to take the step entirely in the dark.
1t was made known that the senti-
ments expressed by the professors in
the meetings were anything but COM
plimentary to Michigan.
While the resolution calling on the
wolverines to conform absolutely to the
conference rules by February 1 was
plain indication that no further leni-
= cd I,o In6 70 81
that an attempt was made to discour-
age the popular seven game schedule
is almost certain to mean that Michf-
gan will retire from the conference
body, in which it was a leader for
years, it is believed. The complacency
with which the professors passed the
resolution practically reading the west
ern leader out of the association was
distinctly different than their attitude
last year.
Even had the seven game schedule
been lost by to vote, it is probable
that a strong attempt to pass it at the
June meeting would have been made.
The action of Purdue and Illinois in
voting for five games was especially
surprising to many. who had supposed
these schools TO be lined UP strongly
in favor of more games.
when Professor Patterson asked
for the training table and the abolish
ment of the retroactive feature of the
three-year rule, think ne was stating
the conditions on which his school was
willing to return to the conference. 1t
was known that Michigan's demands
would be laid before the meeting, but
If 1t insists on such concessions as
these, there is no chance of the
school returning. The training table
issue is dead. There was not the
slightest chance of passing that resolu
ton.
"Michigan got to play it's four-year
men last season. and it would be silly
on our part to allow them to play
men ineligible by the conference rules
again this season. The last batch of
four-year men will get through col
1ege this year, and 1 suppose Michigan
wants an extension of one year more
in order to use these men
From the expression of the pro-
fessors, the collegians need not worry
much over the seven-game schedule.
1t is regarded as highly probable by
the representatives that two of the
schools which voted against the mea-
sure Saturday will change their votes
at the next meeting and pass the rule
by more than a two-thirds count.
The big d6 four viii idn, 60 through ugh
come back said Coach Harry Will
ifams of Minnesota. Michigan
objected to the movement last year.
It Is true, but this objection was only
lodged because the school already had
rules. I doubt If the wolverines had
the least objection to the plan in
itself.
1--WE have a tentative agreement
with Chicago for game, but the date
has not yet been settled. We are in
the same position with regard to Wis
consin. 1 cannot say whether Michi- i
gan will come back or not, but if not. |
then we will go ahead with big
three including Chicago, Wisconsin
and ourselves"