New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-29

mittee, emphasized the fact that little
tampering with the rules was necessary
at this time, while the various reports
from the eight districts represented IN
dicated clearly that a forward step had
been taken In the last ten years in de-
veloping higher ideals in college ath-
letics and in raising the standard OF
sports to a plane In keeping with the
higher principles Of education.
The need for the association and the
necessity, il may be said, for sports
under proper control were emphasized
in rather amusing way By Professor
W. w. Mather, Of the University OF
Texas, in his report for the seventh,
district, when, in urging that physical
education should be compulsory
straight through the senior year. he
tersely remarked:
"And we'd like TO make athletics
compulsory also for the faculty. II
we did, lot of dry bones would cease
70 rattle"
Another forward step was taken
when q committee was appointed, with
the secretary Of the association, FRANK
w. Nicolson, as chairman, TO act IN an
advisory function in aiding the ad-
justment OF athletic differences be-
tween institutions.
The need for this developed within
the year, when questions were sub
mitted to the association. It was not
considered wise to have committee
on arbitration named, but the resolu-
tion as passed covered the point, and
before the day was over one question
for settlement was submitted.
Dr. Williams, in summing up his
football report said:
There seems to be no question that
the rules are reaching a stage Of near
perfection, and that the less tampering
they receive the better. The stability
of the rules Of late years has produced
really remarkable and most gratifying
results. Coaches. players, officials and
public have come to have a cOmpre-
hensive knowledge and understanding
Of modern football, and it's possibilities
have been developing rapidly.
"Truly, the present rules give Us q
magnificent game-spectacular, fasci-
mating, combining the kicking and run
ming game of twenty-five years ago
with a brilliant open field and forward
pass game, where the ball is constantly
In view; upon occasion making use Of
the lateral pass plays Of English Rug
by, interpreted with powerful drives
into the line and off the tackle. that
almost call to mind the so-cslled mass
plays of ten years ago.
brains, tactics and strategy are the
keynote of success in the game as
played to-day. So infinite are the COM
binations and possibilities of play that
IL is safe TO say no two teams in the
country play the game exactly alike.
The rules are admirably adapted to
teams of either light or heavy weight:
Beef is no longer at premium, and
il has been demonstrated many times
this last fall that light, fast teams
can play rings about their heavier OPP
ponents who are lacking the same de-
gree OF skill.
1.-THE small college, under the pres
ent rules, has come into its own. The
early seasons games no longer mean
dreaded pounding Of the weak by
the strong, but contest Of skill and
brains between a light contestant and
g heavier, more slowly developing and
less perfected rival, oftentimes to the
great discontinue Of the latter.
1.-THE safety of the player has been
safeguarded as much as possible, and
the game put on high plane Of sports
It was just ten years ago
that this association began the work
of radically changing the game Of foot
ball.
1--WE feel that the work has been in
deed satisfactory, and although the
present rules are not perfect, they have
nevertheless reached a stage of sta
bility and equilibrium where but slight
change is to be anticipated in the
future"