Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-12-24
WAR OVER FOOT BALL RULES
Stage. Williams, Richards and
Others Are Satisfied.
EASTERN MEN WANT REVISION
staGE Opposes Abolition of Forward
Pass on Ground that II Would
Weaken Offensc and Harm
Game.

NEW YORK, Dec. IA deadlock be-
tween western and eastern foot ball
coaches over the revision of the playing
rules seems to be shaping. Latest re-
ports from Chicago and vicinity state
that coaches thereabout are unanimous
for the retention of the 1911 rules for
next year. Coach a. A. Stage of Chi
cago has announced himself publicly
on this, and Williams of Minnesota and
Richards of Wisconsin are known to
have the same ideas. Western coaches
appear to have secured results from the
new rules, and many of the criticisms
directed at the code by eastern critics
and coaches do not find favor west of
Pittsburgh. Coach stagg is one of the
most influential members Of the COM
mittee and, although the west is in the
minority on this body. It is certain the
Maroon leaders wishes on the subject
will at least be treated with oonsidera-
ton.
Ask StagR for Changes.
Coach Stage has received scores OF let
tiers suggesting changes in rules, and
were he to favor all the suggestions
made the set of rules he would propose
at the New York meeting would in no
way resemble those at present in force.
The Midway director declares, however,
he will stand pat on the present code,
and the changes he will suggest, II any,
Will be OF minor character.
Stagg does not favor the abolition OF
the forward pass. for he declares this
play is the only one that offers the
slightest possibility OF gaining ten yards
in three downs in anything like a con-
sistent manner. He will suggest several
minor changes in the use and limitations
OF the play, but favors its retention as a
whole, believing It has proved itself of
sufficient value at least to merit further
trial.
! In every big game except Minnesota
against Wisconsin, the Chicago Wisconsin
the Minnesota Chicago and the Chicago
Illinois game the better team was the
victor. In only one game did the stronger
team fail to defeat its opponent, Nebraska
being obliged TO be satisfied with a tie
score with Michigan, but the failure OF
the cornhuskers TO defeat the Wolverines
although they played better foot ball, has
been duplicated often under the old rules
in games In which one team In a tie
game went off the fled with all the
honors and the other was lucky to gel
away without a drubbing.
Criticize Forward Pass.
One Of the chief complaints OF eastern
foot ball men Is that It il almost impos-
sible to advance the ball within twenty
yards Of an. opponents goal. This is
true TO the extent that Il Is more diff
ficult than In the center Of the field, but
this was the case under the old rules
and would be the case under any code
which might be adopted.
In moving TO abolish the forward pass
eastern sharps are further handicapping
the offense, the department which they
declare they wish to strengthen. Even ad-
hitting the forward pass Is not good
ground gaiher-and western coaches Will
not even concede that point-it must be
borne In mind that the forward pass
always weakens a teams defense. Were
the forward pass prohibited the second
AIRY defense would be drawn close TO the