Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-29


their arguments yesterday. rec
ognized the dangers of football. and
; likewise the necessity of having the
rules modified in order to do away with
harmful football. The words of DIR. J.
A.. Babbitt, of Haverford College, were
appropriate. He said in part:
Il am firmly persuaded that a strong
stand must be taken at this time and
the rules changed. both because of the
public stampede-which demands it,
end because I honestly believe that by
changes in the rules. as they now stand
1t will be possible to diminish present
danger and surround the players with
greater safety. This can and must be
done.
With regard to the sad accidents of
the last season, / want to say thar
these accidents are not inevitable. 1t
Is possible to safeguard against such
fatalities in a large degree. 1t is, how
ever, impossible to absolutely safeguard
all accidents, serious and even somc>
times fatal, in football. The situation
should be honestly and squarely faced
and not lodged.
But i firmly believe that wise modi-
1cation of the rules as they now exist,
coupled with a strict and impartial en-
forcement of them by competent off,
Gals, and a cooperation from faculties,
school boards, and parents, will insure
a regulation Of the personnel of the
players and thereby give us a game
that no college faculty and no parent
who believes in manly sort should OBJ
ject to-
Some time later a resolution was
offered and adopted as follows:
THAT the football rules committee
of this association be instructed to use
every possible endeavor to bring about
such a modification of the rules as
shall, in it's Judgment, tend to reduce
to d minimum the dangers of physical
injuries to the players and at the same
time retain, so far as possible, the de-
sirable, wholesome features of the
game.
sYThis Football rules committee of the
association, which composes half of the
football niles committee that governs
the sport, will meet some time in jan
uary TO so over the situation in regaro
to new rules for next year. 1t looks
reasonably certain that there will be
reform.
The football rules committee was
elected as follows. DR.. H. Y. Williams,
University of Minnesota; DR.. ]. A. Bah
: bftt. Haverford College; e. x. Hall,
Dartmouth College; Lieutenant H. B.
Hackett. West Point; Professor c. w.
Savage. Oberlin College; Professor w.
l.. Dudley, Vanderbilt College, and DR..
w. A. Lambeth. University of Virginia.
This committee. headed by DR.. Bab-
bitt, should accomplish something when
the new rules. are made.
1t is said that the University of Mich
sisan will expel Joy Miller, captain-elect
of the football team of that Institution,
as a further reputation to him for
playing in the team when he wasn't
eligible.
Ban Johnson seems to think that the
National League schedule of los games
will imperil the worlds series. 1t won't
do the latter any good to have one OF
the teams wait a week for the other to
get through. Now that we have peace
in the big leagues. let us nave some
order.
Harry Frazee. who is managing the
theatrical tour that Jeffries and Gotch
are making. has wagered $4,000 to $4,000
on Jeff against Johnson. 1t was the
first big bet. Sports expect these small
odds to simmer Town to even money
before the fight. a
Battling Nelson is having a busy time
these days trying to make an advanta-
geous match.
1t is said that the Jeffries-Gotch
theatrical troupe is not making a great
success in the South.
Manager Bill Clymer. of the Wilkes
barre team, has been called OF IN ms
effort to avoid payment of $500 to the
Allentown Club, OF h one-time Attain
tie League as the balance of a so'ooo
purchase Of a player. The selling OF
ulavers may be unconstltutlonal. Out
very important to the control OF base
ball players, which is acknowledged TO
be necessary.
.3aa -
rosthe Sporting Editor Of the Evening star
II a player has three pails on nm
and the fourth ball is thrown owe inc
catcher's head and he PICKS ~ anu
throws # to third base. as there is a
man on second base, and the oail goes
over third base. has the man that se's
the four balls. a right to keep on run
ming? .a
IN this case the fourth ball is a WIG
mitch and the runner has the right 10
keep r~unning.-Ed.
Gee Stanley Ketchel has joined tne
ranks Of those who believe tnat 1ach
johnson will beat Jim Jeffries.
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