Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-18
COMMITTEE TO ADVOCATE
STANDARDIZATION OF ATH-
LETic CODE.
FOUR SETS OF RULES
ARE NOW IN VOGUE
Difference in Track Measurements Is
Basis For Work Of Commttee-Con-
tinental Measurement of Quarter
Mile Transpianted in America by A.
A. INVEST For Revision.
Special 10 Times Republican.

Special 10 Times Republican.
Dies Moines. Dec. lS.--Standard rules
for track competition, a standard list
aud order of events for track competi-
ton and a standard measurement OF
all tracks may result from the meet
ing OF the National Collegiate Athletic
Association in New York during the
holidays. The committee appointed
year ago TO consider this matter will
meet in New York, Dec. %. one day
before the annual meeting OF this as
ISOLATION and formulate its report In
dications are the report will be warmly
in favor of the standardized ton
The committee. composed of DR.. w.
A. Lambeth, OF the University of Viz
ginia: Frank Castleman. of Ohio State
University, and John L. Griffith, Of
Drake University, has been conducting
search for opinions upon track az
fairs for the past year and has gained
a large amount OF information in this
way. At the end OF the football season
John l.. Griffith sent out a ques-
tionaire 10 the track coaches and man
ayers. not only TO the Missouri VAL
ley, the Iowa and the Hawkeye con-
ferenceS, but to the coaches OF the
state conferences of Missouri. Kansas
and Nebraska. TO the Southwest con-
ference of Oklahoma and Texas and 10
the Rocky Mountain conference. In
this hS iivt only saneG Tor suggestions
but asked for definite pledge If the
schools interested would observe
definite set of track rules. The ques-
tons as asked follows:
Are you in favor of a uniform set of
track rules?
Are you in favor of a standard order
of events?
Are you in favor of a standard list of
events?
What should be the measurement OF
a standard discus ring?
Would you include the javelin throw
in list of events
Would you change the take-off rule
in the broad jump?
Would you change the take-of rule
in the pole vault?
What change, if any, would you
make in the trials rule and the balk
rule of the broad jump and pole vault?
Would you advise a standard track
measurement?
Would you be willing TO accept and
be governed by a set of track rules
adopted and published by. the National
Collegiate Athletic Association.
What suggestions concerning track
rules do you wish to offer to the com
mit1ee?
Four Sets Of Rules.
At the present time AT least four
different sets of collegiate rules are in
force in the United States. The A. A
L. has it's list OF rules in track COM
petition while certain notifications Of
these, rules are made by the Y N. c.
A. while practically every state or
ganization, both collegiate and high
school have notifications OF either A.
A. L. or collegiate rules. Practically
every collegiate and high school has
different order OF events and differ
ent list OF events. Last year even the
track measurements were different
from the quarter mile to the longer
distances included in the college pro-
gram.
This difference in track measure
ments was made the basis of the work
of the committee. In the eastern parr
of the United States the a. a. L. is
somewhat powerful, politically. This
body brought from the European con-
tinent the continental measurement of
the quarter mile. 1t differs from the
former mode of measurement in the
United States in that the measuren ent
takes place at a distance of twelve
inches from the pole instead OF eight
! cen inches from the pole. BY this sys-
| tenn of measurement the quarter mile
! distance is made about three feet long
| err than the present tracks. This meas
| urement was adopted by two or three
| of the eastern colleges last year and
will De adopted by more if the A. A.
| L. is able 10 carry its point. Western
! college men are not disposed to accept
| the ruling. The argument ii its favor
! is that if the new measurement is
| adopted, distances on tracks Of this
county will be the same as those in
! Europe. The men who do not desire
! the change point out that practically all
! of the tracks of the United States
| have been builded for the former sys-
! tenn of measurement, that more rec
ords have been made over the Amer
lean tracks and that the performance
! Of American athletes have almost made
| these tracks a world standard.
West Favors Standard Rules.
From the replies TO the QUESTIONABLE
appa rently the west Is in favor OF
standard rules. events and a standard
order but is inclined TO wish 10 retain
the track measurements in vogue thru
| o,,+ .hir secfipo for so many wears