The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-28
ARMY WILL ADVANCE
FOOTBALL REFORMS
West Point Authorities Outline Interestino Revision Of
Gridron Rules-Meeting Opens in
New York Today.

NEW YORK. Dec. &.-TI ere is every
promise that when the fourth annual
meeting Of the intercollegiate Athletic
Association conveucs at 10 O'Clock this
morning at the Murray HH Hotel II
VIII be to inaugIrate the most eventful
convention OF its history. Undoubtedly
what IL seeks to accomplish and what
It does accomplish will have the mos
vital bearing on all college sports, with
football, perhaps, as the storm center.
After the meeting has been opened
with a formal address on the work Of
the association by its President. Capt.
Palmer +. Pierce, l.. 5. A.. ChanceI-
Tor Day, of Syracuse University, VIII
speak on The Functions of Athletics
in College Life" Then Dr. D. A. Sar-
gent. of Harvard University. will ad-
dress the convention on Competition
i'm Collegiate Athletics" after which the
delegates will hear DR. j. H. McCurdy.
CT the Springfield Young Mems Chris
ton Association Training School. on
THE INTERPOLATION Of All Forms Of
Amateur Athletics" Prof. 7. e. Moran,
Of Purdue University. will speak next
on Courtesy and Sportsmanship in In
.tercolIegiate Athletics"
Plan Long Session.
Immediately after this last address
has been delivered. the rieetinC will b.
thrown open for a general discussion Of
the present football situation. If nee
essary the entire afternoon and a
special evening session viii be devoted
to u. Il has been put in tangible shape
through the strenuous efforts Of Capt
Pierre and Prof. II. w. Nicholson, Of
Wesleyan University, secretary and
treasurer of the association.
Coupled with this, the following COM
munication has been received from the
athletic council OF the United States
Military Academy, relating to football,
which, after e has been read 10 the del
.esates, will introduce tho general dis
cussi0n as already outlined.
Propose Reforms.
Whereas the game of football has
developed dangers which are recognized
to be intolerable I'm a fairly regulated
sport. IL becomes necessary, I'm order to
institute proper methods OF reform, to
locate the fundamental causes of the
undue roughness OF excessive chances
of injury which exist under the present
rules Of the game. 1t is a widespread
belief that among the causes which lie
Al the bottom Of the evils that have led
to the dcDlOTablp fatalities and injuries
Of the season of 1909 the following are
OF fundamental importance
Il. Lack Of responsible control, by
which not only football, but other forms
Of athletes as well, should be organized
on such official basis that the govern
ing body Of each college shall feel
direct responsibility TO its patrons and
students for the regulation OF athletic
sports.
Bar Professionals.
80. An excessive desire to win AT any
cost. the tendency or which IS to lead
semi-professionaI management TO eva
sion or straininG OF the rules in favor
or preponderant weight and physical
strength, and TO oppose changes which
have tendency to open the game and
equalize the chances Of winning. The
practice OF employing professional
coaches who are not identified with the
college either as members OF the faculty
or Of the alumni has "A tendency 10 oh
SCure the amateur basis Of the sport.
and TO sacrifice an undue proportion OF
legitimate educational work in order 10
meet the inordiuate demands for p win
ming team. This condition can nc
eliminated only by the cuItIvat iou of
public student opinion which shall
recognize fair amateur sport as Of vast
~ more Importance than the winning
Of victory by professional assistance
To this end the rules Of the game
should De based as far rs practical BILE
on the development of team play by
mental acutcuess and individual skill
rather than bv combinations OF mere
weight and physical strength
The indiSCTiminarc playing or ObVi-
Ously overmatched contests should be
prohibited.
Passing Considered.
"3. Defects I'm the present rules OF the
game. by which the defense has been