Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-22
Bn EDWARD R. BUSHNELL


Pennsylvania football authorities will
make grdiron history by their action in
deciding to number their players in the
game with Gettysburg on Saturday.
Go:tysburgs consent to the innovation is
quite as notable, These two teams will
be the first college elevens in America
to demonstrate the worth of this pro-
gressve reform. The reform consists in
sewing numbers on the backs of the foot
ball jerseys of such a height as to make
them visible in all parts of the field.
Thus the spectators. by reference to their
programs, can instantly identify every
player on the field can tell who makes
touchdowns, important runs and tackles,
and will have before them the answers
to countless other questions which spec
tators and newspaper writer's have been
accustomed to ask for in vain.
1t has taken several years Of argu-
ment to have this reform considered with
approval. Most Of the big universities Of
the East have shied at it, and even the
Rules Committee itself has sidestepped
ii. Pennsylvania attitude has always
been friendly. Four years ago the writer
suggested this plan to the Pennsylvania
and Cornell managements for their an
nual Thanksgiving Day game. The
Quaker coaches. after a discussion of the
pros and cons agreed to it, So did Cor
nell at first, hut two days before the
game the Ithacans asked to be excused
from tryinS the experiment.
So far there has never been big col
Nge game where all the players were
numbered, though several high school
teams in and around Boston and New
TF.,,
and with marked success. Last fall Dart
mouth numbered its PLAYERS for its final
game with the Carlisle Indians played in
New York, The Indian players however.
We're not so numbered, and while the ex-
pertinent was hailed with delight by the
Gotham football public and scribes, it was
not fair test.
About the only objection ever made
was the fear that a star player might
thus he identified by the opposition and
either be a mark for their attack or
he more easily watched, This, of course,
is ridiculous on its face, because when
two teams take the field they instantly
know the identity Of all their opponents.
And suppose the opposition did know
their opposing PLAYERS, what good would
this knowledge do them? A number
sewed on the back Of BriCkley's Jersey
wouldn't lessen his goal-kicking ability
I'm the leaSr but IL would always enable
INF .@s't .IdlpES 70 lleHIIE the IlIil-On
captain. And this is the sole purpose
Of the reform.
udsing from the aftermath Of the "ln-
terprctauon meeting Of the football
coaches. rule makers and officials In New
York Saturday night. there are some
coaches who would find a method to
cvaGe the rule passed by the committee
last winter forhidiins the coach TO walk
up ana down the side lines. Some astute
individual pointed out that since the rules
do not specifically order the coach TO
take a seat on the bench with the play
ers, he might be eligible to act as one
Of the lnesmeH. and that in this posi-
tion he would he right on top of the
play. and, If he desires and could get
away with II, he might still coach or
watch the work of his players.
That sort of an evasion might be
technically possible If the men i'm charge
Of intercollegiate football were not gem
tlemen. But this sort of trickery is
foreign 10 all intercollegiate ethics and
wouldn't he tolerated for a moment by
any self-respeCting university. Ii is also /.
reported that as a result Of the discussion .
al this meeting a request will be sent /
out to the members Of the Rules Com I
mittee asking them TO vote on the prop
1sitiOn that coaches be allowed on the .
side lines by mutual agreement of the .
Two captains no matter what the rules /
say on this point
As a matter Of fact the consent Of the
Rules Committee is not necessary 10 do
his. because every rule IN the book may
pa dlsreTarded by tho mutual consent Of