New-York tribune., 1912-02-01
SHARP WARNING FOR
FOOTBALL DOCTORS
Nav Be Liable for Fatal Acct
dent if Dangerous Hazard
Is Not Removed.
so THINKS ONE LAWYER
Strong Plea To Be Made Before
Rules Committee for Some
Pertinent Changes in
the Code.

AT an informal gathering of former foot
ball players and coaches in this city yes
terday, the following remark was made,
with some feeling, by a man who does not
let his law practice interfere entirely with
his love for football:
'If the rules committee decides to stand
pat on the code as now constituted and
persists in overlooking one of the greatest
hazards known TO the game, brought about
by the use of the forward pass over the
line of scrimmage. after being forewarned.
it is a grave question in my mind If each
member Of that committee does not make
himself criminally liable If fatal accident
occurs"
After making this assertion he followed
=, up by saying that he did not care to
be quoted at this time, but that his opinion
could be accepted for what it was worth.
1t seems that the proposed changes in the
rules had been freely discussed at the
gathering IN question, and it was decided
that a number Of those present would ask
permission TO express their views before
the rules committee at its first session in
this city tomorrow morning. If granted
a strong plea will be made at that time
for such changes in the code as TO insure
greater continuity in the game and to re-
move what so many good judges consider
an unnecessary and dangerous hazard.
It may be said In passing that the men
gathered together yesterday are vitally
interested in what the rules committee
may do from pure love Of the game. II
may be said further that, with one or two
exceptions. perhaps, they represented the
most virile type OF football. For this rea-
son, if none other. the almost general feel
ing that one Of the greatest hazards In the
history Of the sport has been introduced
in the we'll meant effort to make the game
safer and saner must be emphasized
If they have their way they will serve no.
tice on the committee of the fact that the
on-side kick and forward pass. which de-
mands that the defensive back play ten
yards behind the line of scrimmage, open
the way to this hazard. They hold, and
will point out, that the backs who play
ten yards behind the line to guard against
the forward pass and On-side kick carry a
double responsibilty-to defend in their
own zone, while being accountable also for
an adequate defence at the line of scrim-
mage When a back comes up on the run
TO stop a runner who has broken through
the line, the tackle Immediately becomes
one OF the most dangerous in the history
Of the game.
1t was held by those present that in fair
ness to a player he cannot be properly
coached to take such a desperate risk
without making a quitter or q corpse" as
George Foster Sanford said in his careful
ly prepared article on the crying needs of
football in The Tribune four or five weeks
\ ago.
The danger in the use Of the forward
pass over the line of scrimmage has been
pointed out in The Tribune on four or five
occasions in the last few months, and If
the rules committee. which meets to-mor-
row and Saturday, does not make some
effort TO remove this hazard, IL will not
be for the lack of warning. 1t is well
known that some members of the commit
tee are in favor Of letting well enough
alone" but II also can be said on good au-
thority that there are five members at least
who will stand out boldly for changes
along the line suggested by George Foster
Sanford and others In The Tribune.
II those who believe that something must
be done 10 more nearly equalize the at
tack with the defence TO make the game
more natural and to remove a dangerous
hazard, are beaten II will he only after one
of the hottest fights in the history OF the
game That much is assured.