New-York tribune., 1910-01-31
COMMENT ON SPORTS
TO SAVE FOOTBALL.
Nesrs and Tie1cs on LiUe Topics
of the Day.

Before another week is over the critics
will have an opportunity to pass judgment
on the revised football code. The rules
committee will meet on Friday at the Muir
ray Hill Hotel and inasmuch there are
at least a thousand and one suggestions
which must be considered, no definite con-
clusons will be reached in all probability
until late Saturday. if then. 1t will be no
easy task 10 revise the rules in a way to
make the game less dangerous and TO
satisfy the insistent demand of those who
think only OF and exaggerate the evil con-
sequences, with little or thought for
the good Those who champion the cause
OF football numbered in the thousands,
but their voices are stilled TO a large eX-
tent IN the face OF an Indictment which.
while too severe, perhaps, is nevertheless
strong enough to have aroused general
demand for reform which must be satisfied
Football must be made safer, else football
will be abolished in many schools and col
leges throughout the country. This is
something more than threat-it is
promise made by the governing boards of
hundreds OF institutions-and In view or
this the members of the rules committee
will Erestle with the difficult problem with
fun knowledge OF their responsibility.
There will be no effort 10 evade the
question; each one realizes that a crisis
has been reached and each one will work
earnestly with the single purpose of saw
ing great and virile game.
One member of the rules committee said
20 me a few days ago that he had been
walking with the rules. eating with the
rules and sleeping with the rIles so long
that he welcomed the opportunity to do a
little punching and prodding just to get
even. He added that he hated to suggest
what the rules would look like If the more
radical refor1ners had q chance TO do a
little punlmelling. and that he would not
answer for them even after those who. at
least, are more or less friendly had finished
the mauling. All Joking aside, the same
man said that while every effort would be
made TO preserve the general character of
TIE game, he looked for a number of radi-
cal changes which would satisfy. FOR the
time being, 1T least, the clamor for q less
strenuous sport Theoretically, at least,
the game will be modified. he continued,
but when questioned along what particular
lines he remarked sagely: ASK Walter
Camp or some Of the others
From what Walter Camp has written and
said. from what developed at the meeting
Of the United States in this city three or
four weeks ago and from what can be
CLEANED from other sources. the rule gov
erning the use of the forward pass is sure
20 be radically changed. Some Of the rule
1nakers no doubt. viii hold out for its
abolition. but as suggested in this column
shortly after the season closed, the chances
are that IL viii be retained, although limit
Cd to use behind the line of scrimmage,
with some adequate protection for the man
receiving the ball This in itself will make
Il possible for the second line Of defence TO
lend some support TO the tackles. who have
been forced TO bear the brunt almost sin
gle handed OF many plays directed at their
position. In this way one of the chief dan
gers Of the game viii be eliminated.
Other changes which have been a,lvo-
Gated BY those whose opinions will be re-
spected and which likely to be made
include: Providing more protection for the
man catching a punt by restricting the ad-
vance Of the forwards TO within five yards
Of the man who is receiving the ball until
81 is caught or fumbled; by abolishing the
use of the straight arm In warding off op-
posing tacklers, and thus doing away with
vicious and practically hidden blow with
the heel Of the hand; abolishing the So
clash of heavy bodies in motion; restricting
the men behind the line cf scrimmage TO
the backs. to prevent some heavy line man
being brought back TO head tandem play;
limiting 10 some extent offside interference,
which according TO many is the root OF
many evils; preventing pulling and pushing
OF player when tackled. and adopting
even more stringent rules against pling up
and other forms of undue roughness.
Walter Camp has suggested in number
of articles recently that il might be well 10
increase the distance TO be gained by rush
ing in midfield. but to scale it down as the
ball approaches the goal line, and inas1iuch
Mr. Camp has been making a careful
study OF the question. and his judgment is
sure 10 be respected. it seems quite likely
that change of that sort will be made.
II the code is amended as outlined, and the
coaches and players carry out the spirit as
well as the letter of the rules, the game is
hound TO be safer, whereas its chief char
acteristics will not be lost. Other questions
are bound TO come UP. and a rule may be
framed 10 prevent absolutely coaching from
the side liTes. which the present rule on
the subject has not accomplished. while the
responsibility of removing exhausted play
ers from the game may be placed on one
which IL is believed would do much TO pre-
vent serious injuries.
Personally ] ain strongly in favor OF the
adoption Of rules that would bring about
abolition Of the straight arm in warding off
tacklers; further protection for the
catching punt; prompt removal of ex-
hausted players, or those who have been
slightly injured, from the game, regardless
OF any protest, and coaching from the side
Lines. There is just one more suggestion
which J have urged off and on in this col
urnn for three years that must be referred
to again. even though it is of minor impor4
tsnce and is not included in the present in
dictnent. Number the players Make it
possible for the undergraduates and those
who look on to follow the play more close
ly, and thus get added pleasure. Make It
possible also for those whose duty it is TO
keep track OF the plays TO tell how it all