New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-21
HART NAY NOT PLAY
DOCTORS TO REPORT.
Princeton Captains Election
Not Yet Ratified.

Eddie Hart, who was elected captain OF
the Princeton football eleven for 1910 some
DAYS ago. will not lead the team or for
that matter play at all. IL the report of
three doctors who arc 10 examine him Is
adverse. His election must be passed upon
BY Wednesday OF next week by the grad
uate advisory committee on football. which,
Il Is understood from a reliable source will
not ratify the choice OF the team il Il is
held that he is in danger Of serious in
fury in playing the game. Hart sustained
an injury to his neck while playing at
Exeter which has been a source OF anxiety
20 his friends ever since.
Hart PLAYED this year with formidable
and peculiar headEear. composed partly OF
iron. the leather headpiece being kept away
from the head by braces rising from the
shoulder. II h said that a vertebra in
his neck is cracked. and that fatal in
jury might result from a hard blow at any
time. II is TO determine whether or not the
danger 10 Hart has been exaggerated that
the medical committee viii be called in
There has been much criticism OF Harris
playing. and those responsible for football
Al Princeton are not disposed TO take any
chances OF fatal accident that would lead
70 a storm OF criticism and a renewed de-
uand for the abolition OF the game.
Il is by no means certain. despite the
persistent reports from Princeton. that
William Roper head coach in 1906. 1907 and
1905 viii return as head coach of the Tigers
next year. There was much dissatisfaction
during Roper's regime. He had good teams
each year. as far as football knowledge
vent. but each year the chance of victory
over Yale was lost because the team could
rot maintain a pace set early in the game.
The score in 1895 was q tie al 20 Q. but in
lso7 and 1905 Princeton was beaten after
leading in the first half. Poor judgment
in the use Of players was ascribed by mary
Princeton men as the reason for these de-
fe4ts.
Now 10 rs proposed TO make Roper. who
coached the University Of Missouri this
year with good results, resident athletic di-
rector with powers far greater than he
had before Some OLD Princeton men feel
that this would he unwise. They would
ike well enough 10 see Roper have a hand
IN the direction Of the team. but tho idea
OF putting him In fun charge does not ap-
peal 70 them. They point out that the adj
.fsorv committee met at the end Of last
week 10 decide on the coaching system but
that II has made no report. This indicates.
they say. that no action was taken, and
that definite opposition to the appointment
az Roper has developed the committee.
70 member of this committee would say
anything on the subject yesterday. one way
C. rhe other, but men close to the COM
rrl-tee we're not ar all backward in assert
ing their belief that Roper would not he
recalled and put in full charge. They sadi
that he needed a controlling force, which
would not Re present il fun authority was
vested in him. Some favored the retention
OF the triumvirste of this year, with Roper
instead Of Jim Mccormick as head coach.
while others want a new man 10 take
charge The name OF John De Witt, cap
tain OF Princeton's last victorious eleven
that Of Ie03-was suggested.