The San Francisco call., 1909-10-12
Resent Action
Of Berkeley's
Rugby Coach
Attitude in Saturdays Contest
Unsportsmanlike and Stirs
Lovers of Game
By WILLIAM UNMACK

The action of Coach Schaeffer of the
University of California Rugby foot
ball team in objecting to a referee at
the time adjournment of the game at
Berkeley, Saturday, and positively re-
fusing to let his team continue the
game unless another official was Sc
lected, was violation of the Rugby laws
Referee L. S. Reading was officially ap-
pointed by the California Rugby ref
erees' union to take charge of the game
between the California varsity and the
Barbarian teams The first. half he
refereed in very fair and impartial
manner. Men who have played the
game and followed 1t up all their
lives are unanimous in the opinion
here.
There was no cause for complaint
at all on the part of the California
coach, and many spectators condemned
agree with the decisions of a referee
it is not allowable TO change the ref
cree at half time. The appointed Of
fetal must finish the game out and the
report the official in question to both
the Rugby union and the referees
union as being incompetent, and posi-
lively refuse to have the same man
officiate in any future games. The mat
ter is then taken up properly by the
unions, and If the charges are proved
the referee in question is dealt with
through the proper channels of these
unions. For a coach of a team, how
ever, to object and show such poor
Judgment as was shown Saturday is an
unheard of thing, and has caused a stir
in Rugby circles that will in all prob
ability result in no more referees being
appointed to any games at the Califor-
MIA field.
UPHOLDS READING
Capain Harry Elliott of the Barbarian
Schaeffer came to him at half time and
asked If he had any objections to Err
skine refereeing the second half, as he
(Schaeffer) would not permit Reading
to continue
There was absolutely nothing wrong
with Readings decisions" said Ell
his objections were he would give
none. l considered it would not be
right or just to go over the appoint
ment of the referees union, and L am
still Of that opinion. However, as
Schaeffer was determined, l felt in
clined to withdraw my team and not
continue the game, but decided to talk
the matter over with Reading, Schaef-
fer. Ersklne, Reading and myself got
together and Reading asked Schaeffer
his reasons. The coach point blank
told Reading he thought he (Reading)
was giving his team an unfair deal
Under these conditions Reading asked
Erskine to continue the game. Ny
personal opinion of Reading as a ref
cree is that he is the best referee on
the coast, bar none, and Scha aeffer's OBJ
lection to him is not correct"
Graduate Manager Merritt of Cali
fornia had taken Paul to the hospital
when he got hurt and was not on the
grounds when the second half started.
When he returned he was very much
surprised to find Erskine refereeing
L am certain said Merritt, had
been there the trouble would have been
avoided and the game gone on with
the officially appointed referee. Be
fore he left the ground l got Schaeffer
to apologize to Reading. and our coach
VIII also send written apology to the
California referees union. Schaeffe
and no one regrets 1t more than / do.
/ will endeayor to attend the meeting
of the referees union next Tuesday
night and do all l can to adjust the
episode
READING REsENTS ACCUSATIONS
Referee Reading is deeply hurt at
the accusations of unfairness, and when
seen at his San Mateo home gave out
the following statement:
1t was a good game up to the first
half. Just on the call of time a penalty
was awarded and while the men were
placing the ball for kick the half
time pistol fired. The kick was taken
and l then blew my whistle for half
cigarette. Shortly after Schaeffer came
up to me and said. Erskine is going
to referee this half 1 naturally was
nonplused and asked his reason He
neither could give a reason nor explain
his stand, but said: Do you think you
are giving California a square deal?'
l replied l most assuredly was. Aft
erward fn the presence of Captain Ell
lott of the Barbarians, Douglas Err
skine of the Olympic club and myself,
Schaeffer repeated the assertion that I
was unfair. l greatly resent the ac-
cusations of the California coach, and
more particularly so, as l do not con-
slider him sufficient OF an authority on
the game to pass such Judgment"