Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
DISCUSSES
COLLEGE SPORTS
important Foot Bail Rules and
Schedules to Be
Changed.

root Tall mas come INTO tiie
Of the winter athletic season with the
approach of the annual meeting of the
foot ball rules committee and the peren-
NAL report that Harvard and Princeton
are about to patch up old differences
and meet on the gridiron this fall for the
first time in about a dozen years. Tn
usual interest is attached to both of these
circumstances. 1t is understood that
some radical propositions will be present.
ed soon by the committee for the amend
ment of the present rules, and il half
OF them become rules the character of
the game will be greatly changed. AS
for the Harvard Princeton alliance, if it
should become a reality it win result
in a decided shake-up in the schedules
of the big colleges the coming season.
and may result in some hard feeling as
well.
The changes proposed in the foot ball
rules. upon which there is unanimity OF
opinion. are two in number:
l. That the forward pass should be
changed in order to bring about more
kicking in the regular forward pass
formations, and that the other restric-
tons upon its use should be greatly modi-
fed.
2. That the value of field goal should
be reduced. -
Inc InOSC pUOnOunce0 advocate OF
changes in the forward pass is Glenn
s. Warner Of the Carlisle Indians. War
ner has probably done more to develop
the forward pass than any other man in
the coaching business, and whatever he
suggests Is entitled to respectful atteu-
ton. Warmers most radical suggestion
In this connection Is that the committee
should abolish the rule which provides
that the forward pass shall always cross
the line OF scrimmage five yards from
ta
change would be welcomed everywhere.
Tor there Is hardly single championship
game played in which one Or more touch
downs are not disallowed on this &C
count. And when such a decision is
made the dissatisfaction is deep. Michi-
CAMS coaches have not yet gotten over
their anger at a decision of this kind
which took away from them their only
touchdown against Pennsylvania In 1907
Warner has one more suggestion, to the
effect that the forward pass be elimina ted
altogether and that rule be passed
permitting kicked ball to be caught
on the fly by either side. This. Warner
says. would eliminate the basket ball
1t foot ball in reality Another change
the Indian coach suggests is that the
rule makers repeal the provision that
the runner in taking the ball on direct
pass go five yards outside of center
In reference to reducing the value of
the drop and place kick there has long
been feeling that such legislation
should be passed. some even contendng
mat two points are enough for a goal
from HELD The demand for this change
became stronger than ever last fall be-
cause of the great increase in the num-
Der or field goals. especially goals from
placement: The increase in kicking has
been received with pleasure In all sec
IONS Inc committee may feel that re-
ducing the value Of the field goal from
lour points to two. or even reducing it
at all. would be unwise at this time. But
IL the k1ckers continue to score as con-
siStentiy as during 1907 some reduction
VIII nave 10 be made sooner or later.
Will Harvard and Princeton Meetp
Although undergraduate correspondents
at Harvard and Princeton would have
the college world believe that a game
is about to be arranged between these
ancient rivals. the prospects are more re-
mote than the average foot ball enthu-
slast understands. In fact, to an out
slider, the difficulties seem to be almost in
surmountable The difficulties are physi-
cal rather than anything else A study
of the calendar and the opponents Har
Faro, Yale and Princeton are tradition
ally bound to meet will explain the prob
lens to be solved. Primarily the Prince
ton schedule will end this year Novem-
Der 13 in the game with Yale If Har-
ward and Princeton should meet the
date would have to be either October 81
or November &.
In order to play Princeton at all il
would be necessary for Harvard to drop
either Dartmouth or the Carlisle Indians
mere Is no doubt that Harvard esteems
the Dartmouth game as of more i'm
portance than a game with Princeton
This would make it necessary for Har
ward to drop the Indians. But the Red
men are almost as popular in Boston
as Yale, and Harvard would not care
10 part company with them But even
II the Indians We're dropped a game with
Frinceton would necessitate Harvard
playing three championship matches on
successive Saturdays ending with the
ale game. 1t is doubtful IL any team
could play schedule of this kind and
win even fair percentage of Victories
consequently the probabilities of the
game decrease with closer study of the
obstacles to be overcome. There is no
DOUBT that the game would be Welcomed
by those who would have Yale, Harvard
and princeton form a triumvirate inst
as much as it would be distastefui To
those who oppose this close athletic cor
pOration. WI
Banner Year for Rowing.