Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-05
Open or Too
Close, Pivot in
Foot Ball Case
Question that Will Govern the Revi-
sion of Rules by the Law
Makers.

NEW YORK, Dec. 4.-The question as to
a revision of the foot ball rules is rapidly
getting down to an argument as to whether
the game is too open or too close. A gem
eral sentiment among those who have
been shocked by fatal accidents this year
seems to be that the play should be made
still looser, while another element deplor-
ing such occurrences Just as much, thinks
that certain features of the new and open
game lave been largely responsible.
This latter element, which has as one of
its chief opponents Jim Hogan, Yale's
tackle and captain in 1904, and now deputy
street cleaning commissioner, is opposed
to the forward pass and the neutral zone
between the scrlmmage lines. He is not
convinced, generally speaking, III the
ten-yard rule is necessary, but is not so
bitter against that phase of the new rules.
Bill Edwards of Princeton is in fun agree
ment with Hogan in this matter.
Here is the trouble" said Hogan. you
have your tackle, for Instance, with a play
coming at him. He has to dive into it, as
he always did, to break it up, looking for
a forward pass. He had to dive in the old
days, too, but he knew what he was going
to find on the other side of the line, after
he had broken through. and he could
charge low. This condition is simply in
tensified by the neutral zone. The offence
has too much of a chance to gather power
before 1t hits the line. The men are play
ing in looser fashion, and lots Of these ac-
cidents to backs and necks come from
just such crashing plays against a loose
and broken line, when the men do not
have an opportunity to find themselves be-
fore they are in the thick Of the play"
ut isn't only the line men who are af-
fected by the forward pass" said Mr..
Edwards. Men who are catching the ball
are of necessity in a dangerous position.
The end or tackle who is to take the pass
has to go down the field. turn quickly for
the throw, and. after catching the ball,
turn again to go dow the field. He is
almost invaritbly tackled as soon as he
has received the pass, and, being brought
down without a chance of injury is con-
siderable. The play cost Yale the use of a
fine end in the Princeton game, when
Vaughan's knee was so badly wrenched
that he could not play against Harvard. "
These are the opinions of practical men,
who not only played the game well while
in college. but have followed is closely
ever since. On the other hand, there is a
MULTIPLICITY OF suggestions from men who
want to see a revision toward a more open
game. The western conference has taken
action looking to such changes, and A A.
stagg Of Chicago. its representative on the
rules committee, Is keen for a revision Of
some sort. He wants more severe penalties
for pilling up Illegally, the Blowing OF the
whistle by the referee when the ball is
dead, and the stoppage Of pulling or push
ing a player along. Mr.. Edwards said that
he had inflicted only one penalty for pilling
up this year in all the games ne has
umpired, that one having been against
Waseuka Of the Indians at Philadelphia.
It takes little stretching Of the rules to
impose disqualification as the penalty for
pillng up II the offense becomes habitual
with a player.
Every referee who knows the rules and
his duties bows his whistle as soon as the
BAN is dead, and no further ruling is re-
auired on that point. The suggestion for
bidding players to help the maj with the
ball along IS certainly radical. 1t would
change the whole aspect OF the game.
Illinois ~Swipmers Going East.
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