New-York tribune., 1911-12-29
Stand-Pat Policy May
Balk reforms in Football

\. kentucky, tennessee, i-Oulsiand' Mis-
sissippi, Georgia. Alabama. Florida and
South Carolina.
s. Ohio, Indiana. Michigan, Illinois, Wis
consin. Minnesota and North Dakota.
G. Iowa. South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas
and Nebraska.
Z. Arkansas, Oklahoma. Texas. Arizona
and New Mexico.
s. Montana, Wyoming Idaho, Colorado,
Utah, California, oregon, Washington and
Nevada.
The report of the treasurer showed that
the expenses for the year amounted TO
s, ,331 Il, leaving a balance on hand OF
s429 81. The outlay was made up OF ex-
penses of the football and basketball COM
mittees and for printing. postage and stem
ographic fees.
Influence Spreading Even Abroad
The reports of the various district repre-
sentatives indicated that the association
was doing a great work in preaching the
gospel of clean sport. and tnat its influence
was being felt in all parts of the country:
In this connection Captain Pierce said that
inquiries concerning the work had been re-
ceived from France and Italy, and added
that this showed that. whether the infiu-
ence was large or small, ii was spreading,
not only in this country. but abroad.
DR.. Reddck, of North Carolina, said that
It was the general wish of the Southern
colleges that no changes be made in the
football rules, and Professor Clapp said
about the same thing for the 5th District.
Captain Pierce emphasized the impor-
tance of local conferences to control ath-
letics in their district under the direction Of
the national association, and pointed out
that it was important TO the life of the
parent organization, as otherwise 1t will
not come TO its full fruition. He added:
Much has been done, but little can be
accomplished by ethical discussion unless
the local alliances can carry out the ideas
for higher standards with some measure OF
control.
The following recommendations were
made as a guide to the football rules COM
mittee:
l. The association desires the committee
so to legislate that the open game be con-
tinued and the chance of fatalities mini
mized.
3 The committee is requested TO work
for a clearer and more concise set of rules.
9. The committee is requested TO have the
rule book published in the spring, 10 the
end that more time be had for its study.
1t was also ruled from the floor that an
effort be made to reduce the number of
officials, while another motion was passed
that the central board OF officials do what
it could 10 establish a standard for the
payment of officials. 50 that the expenses
on the various colleges would not be so
great.
No changes were made in the personnel
of the football rules committee OF seven
men, which is appointed each year by the
association, and which has amalgamated in
the past with the old rules committee. The
members are as follows: Dr. Harry l..
Williams. Minnesota Dr.. james a. Bah
Bit, Haverford; l.. X. Hall, Dartmouth
Dr. w. /. Dudley, Vanderbilt; Professor
c. w. Savage, Carnegie archaeological; >. Z.
Williams, of Iowa, and Lieutenant Y. W.
Cooper, of West Point
Suggestion for Football
Dr. Williams, in making his report as
chairman of the football committee, SAID,
in part:
1t is the opinion of the writer that the
rules as they stand nave accomplished III
great measure the purpose when was de-
Sl8DeO III lDe DIOdu lliStI uNtloiiS Ie'AN tO''i4
Tor the guidance OF your committee. Ine
game of football is to-day lmmeasuraply
superior to that of six years ago. Whethe:
IL he viewed from the standpoint Oh salet!'
inc standpoint of public interest or the
'staudpOinI OF tactics. Inc present game
offers TAR greater field for brain WORK.
strategy and generalshlp thah WAS eNe'
possible under the old rules
IL is the writer's experience that these
rules have proved in every way safer ana
attended with less injuries, both MAYOR ah1
minor, than the old rules. The team WIN
which the writer was connected durlhS tno
last season played through three OF lls
most important contests without a single
man being changed, while during the ehtnc
season only three men were inquired SUN
GENTLY to cause them to be taken from the
game. None of these injuries were serious.
To evolve rules that shall be uniformly
satisfactory under all conditions 10 All
partios is a most difficult matter AT the
end of each season the rules become CON
spicuous target for criticism and attack'
and volume OF suggesuohs ,1si rs % ~
tccred for their Improvement. 1IlS IL III
every way desirable. as broader NleWpoIHt
is thereby secured, but II Is obvious tldt
all such suggestions cannot De adopted
As the rules now are the mechanism o!
the game is so balanced that II Is GlIncuit
Ia make changes without disturbing the @Ihe
whole general adjustment of the play. Inc
writer believes that the rules as they sldlu
are prptty generally satisfactory TO the col
legeS as q whole when both large anu
small are considered from one enQ Oh the
country to the other, and where the IUes
are not satisfactory, they can be haue 50
by slight alterations
There is one feature in which II must pe
admitted the present code Is unfortunately
weak The equilibrium between the at
tack and the defence may he greatly as
iurbcd By adverse weather conditions. IN
a wet day, with muddy field and SID
perry ball, or in colo weather ont meth brii. Iie
lam offence may be 50 nullifed that
decidedly inferior team may be able TO hoia
its superior opponent TO no score or even
win on some lucky chance play
II IS problem whether some chdlse
cannot be introduced into tn" rules undHr
certain weather conditions that VIII chaDie
the offence TO MAINTAIN the t SdLlJ 49, En. or
strength toward the defence that IL mas Oh
Tbcrc can be no question that under the
present rules the development ana Shlliui vi
cxocution Of the forward pass Is one OF
the most important factors In AN cincicui
attack By this play rot only Is actuai r,i
ground gained but the defence Is san6a sCaItH. -,
and kept uncertain, while the Sec"ndatE
defensive line is kept wei BACK OF me
line Of scrimmage. 50 that q running az
tack NAV gain steady ground. ,..,
II the restriction OF twenty yaIuv ~ o,,G o,,G
the lire of scrimmage was rern9VeH ana
no limit as 10 distance put on lhr lui".N, ~.
simply providing that the man 'nah'nE tne
catch should get the baI Deiore n r'o,IId ~ hc
the ground, ! believe the rules "ou'" ~
improved and strengthened.
I{ut great care il necessary III chpdlu!Hg
the rule on the forward pass, Iest tn' san ~
bc transformed into outdoor basketball. 70
ma lyo consistent ground under uAc ttn-NaId
,,,in ,,itbnIIt a mastery Of She forward pass
Is wclInigh. impossible. The endeavor 70
nIav he old rushing game under the new
rules cannot fail to result IN nG-Sco.c
paincs. a dissatisfied public injuries 70
SiaI,,rs through an effort TO hammer out
!n i,opossiblc ten yards by superb uman
h.ttrriTg ram tactics. and the defeat 81
,,i,,eiraIIy superior team DN nShter anu
i,,,,s,., p, ,sour,,.ful opponent, or IA allowing
The came ~ degenerate into "A kirhnS au,i'
v.Lere a lucky chance may decide the ISSUE
one way or another II il is true, as some me
iievr thai the present rules do not permit
a siiperior team to demonstrate JUS SUI
u.riotitV and score on an interior o.