New-York tribune., 1912-02-03

tend that the present system Of rules Is
not fundamentally unjust? .-
Here is a speCious argument of the pro-
ponents Of the present system that must
be exploded. They maintain that the
stronger eleven by being able 10 accom-
plish the ten yards ConseCutively should ne
allowed that. right. In answer ! Will say say
that any right In any manly game should
be based on equality. II that right pre-
cludes an equal opportunity on the part OF
the opponents to express their ablllues
over an equal period of playing time ! say
that IL is manifestly unfair and savors OF
the spirit Of the bully
Secondly the game - unnatural ineias-
tic and complex. These conditions are the
result OF the first fundamental mistake.
the attempt to do the impossible in the
matter of number Of downs to distance,
which is based on a variable.
This leads naturally to the third and
chief beneficial result the public see II
and which is o legitimate demand on their
part. the elimination Of brutality ana IN
cidentally the opportunity given the teams
to express the highest standard of playing
ability. This is not possible now owing
to restrictions. The fact that the often
sive player carrying the ball can at any
time run, kick or pass gives him triple
discretion and casts a doubt In the mind
of the defensive player ds TO his purpose:
This automatically doe; away with wicked
tackles and excuses TO make them, as the
rules al present afford. since II viii prove
unscientfic and Improbable.
1t seems clear from the above exposition
of the fundamental misconCeption now
called into play why the game Is continu-
ally being subjected to piecemeal legisla-
ton
Glen Warner made a short address. in
sisting that something should be done 10
bring about better balanced game. Just
what effect these men had on the COM
mittee could not be learned.
Space is lacking to enumerate the many
suggestions offered, but among them was
one TO allow the forward pass over the
goal line for a touchdown. II was the
general feeling among the football men
who gathered IN the corridors that II this
was adopted a mistake would be made.
Lieutenant Paul A. Dashiel, who for
years WAS a member OF the old committee,
returned to active duty, after an absence
OF two or three years. lie represented the
United States Naval Academy in place of
Lieutenant Berrien. Alonzo a. Stages. d-
rector OF athletics at Chicago University.
was unable TO be present, on account of his
health. and his place was taken by James
VI. Sheldon, coach Of the Indiana Univer-
sity last fall and graduate Of Chicago
The other members present were as fol-
lows:
f. *. Hall, Dartmouth, chairman; Wal
ter camp, Yale, scCretary, Percy ID.
Haughton Harvard: Parkc II. Davis,
Princeton; Lieutenant J. w. Beachem. cor
nell; William Morice,. Pennsyiyania; DR..
Harry l.. Williams. Minnesota; DR.. Jam, =
A. Babbitt, Haverford, Or. W. l.. Dudley
Vanderbilt; Professor Q. W. Savage, car
negie Technical Scnool; S. &. williams.
Iowa and Lieutenant Y. W. Cooper, West
Point.
Captain Howe of the Yale eleven last
fall. attended the meeting to act as an
alternate for Walter Camp, If the neceS,
s!ty arose Mr.. Camps daughter Is H. ana
away. ,.,,,
Among some of the we'll known footoa j
mer seen about the hotel. IN addltlon 10
those mentioned we're George Adee, haIC
Carl Flanders. Yale; Herman Olcott. co@ch
of the New York University eleven b.s
PIN" Edwards. Princeton, ana Aodlsol
kelIY. Princeton.