The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-18
By WILLIAM PEET.

IL is now almost certain that when the
football solons meet IN New York shortly
after the first OF the year a number OF
important changes will be made in the
football rules for next fall. The pres
ent disastrous season has raised a hue
and cry from coast 20 coast, and the men
who hold the destinies Of football IN
their hands have serious problem con-
fronting them
Bob Maxwell. the famous Swarthmore
guard. who refereed the George Wash
! ington-Indian game here two weeks ago,
dropped in for little chat with the writer
last night. Maxwell and Mike Thomp-
son had charge OF the Syracuse-Colgste
contest last Saturday. and are elected TO
run the Brown-Indian game at New York
next Saturday.
Mr.. Maxwell makes the contention that
the only possible reform IN the gridlron
sport likely to 90 away with danger and
reduce the chances Of injury TO a mini
mum Is 20 open up the game more and
abolish any semblance OF mass plays.
such as passing a rule that in advancing
the ball a team must hit the line OF
! scrimmage at least five yards from the
place the ball was snapped back.
1 According to Mr.. Maxwell. such a move
would cause q general upheaval in for
mer styles Of play, and patrons OF the
sport would hardly recognize future bat
/ ties.
| Football at present IS weathering n ter
rifle gale. and. while Il is admitted that
! the fatalities recorded this season have
been accidents pure and simple the ar
/ dent supporters OF the Erldiron game are
] or,ir nd mr. frfc n
| ing contests on the calendar will be play
/ ed without serious mishap.
Just what changes the football rules
committee will make for next year Is not
known. Paul Dashed. OF the Navy. thinks
| that the forward pass is a dangerous
| PLAY on account OF possible injury 10 tho
man receiving the ball by an opposing
/ half back. other big football men have
| ideas along different lines, and when the
/ final pOw-wOw comes off something IS
bound 10 drop.
/ Football Is too good game 20 be abol-
ished, but changes IN the present rules
must. and will. be made.
| It IS generally agreed that the zig game
at Cambridge next Saturday between
Harvard and Yale IS going to be the
/ hardest fought battle in recent years,
and. as was the case last Fall. q goal
from the field may turn the tide.
! To all appearances the two teams are
| Just as evenly matched as they were
| last year when they fought their way
| through seventy minutes Of actual play
without either scoring a touchdown.
Those who saw the YaIe-Princeton game
at New Haven last Saturday cannot
figure where Harvard has a chance and
the spectators at the ringslde Of the
Harvard-DartmOuth battle on that same
day are equally confident that the Grim
son is going 70 win.
In Captain Ted Coy. Yale has a drop
kicker OF recognized ability. while so
far nobody has heard OF a Harvard star
. IN this line. Nobody heard OF one last
/ year. yet Coach Haughton uncovered Vic
Kennard at the critical time and his
timely boot from placement gave tho
Crimson the victory. and II is a safe bet
that Harvard has somebody this year who
can pull of the trick II Il is needed.
From the looks OF things now. a goal
from the field is likely TO win for either
the Crimson or Blue.