New-York tribune., 1916-02-26
Several Rule Makers Are
Still Set Against
the Plan.
stage IS AMONG
IT'S SUPPORTERS
Chicago Director Explains Why
Some Coaches Do Not Like
the Innovation.


come TO a unanimous verdict on the
much discussed problem of numbering
players. according 10 the indications
last night at the Fillmore Hotel, when
the legislative body Of the gridiron
went into annual session. Several
members Of the board will fight any
attempt to make numbers mandatory.
Percy liaughton, of Harvard, did not
arrive for the first session last night,
nor did DR.. Sharpe, OF Cornell. other
wise the committee was intact. and F..
W. Moore represented the Cambridge
institution in the discussions pre-
liminsry to the formal consideration of
what changes will be made in the 1915
code.
Surface indications are that no
salient changes will be made in the
playing or ethical code. The success
attending the l9l4-16 game has left
the committee satisfied with it's work.
After reelecting +. X. Hall. Of Dart
mouth, chairman Of the committee and
Walter Camp, of Yale, secretary the
committee began a discussion Of the
major principles OF the game and the
effect they had exerted in those vari
Gus sections which were represented
upon the committee last night.
Alonzo A. Stagg, the famous coach
of the University of Chicago, possibly
the most versatile and without doubt
one Of the most resourceful athletic
directors in the country. is one OF those
coaches who have deferred TO the popu
lar demand that football players be
numbered.
For three years at Chicago we have
numbered our players" said Mr.. Stagg,
but that a very broad difference of
opinion exists in our section is mani
fest by the fact that Minnesota and
Illinois universities. our chief athletic
rivals. have steadfastly refused to num-
Der their men.
From a coach's standpoint the num-
bering Of players works an undoubted
hardship. The hardship is doubled
when one coach submits TO the idea
and another rejects 1t.
at is the we'll developed system OF
scouting which obtains in the present
day that makes II dcleteriOus to the
coach who numbers his players. His
best plays, usually pivoting upon a de-
ceptive attack, are made plain "a day
20 the scouts because the man carry
ing the ball is numbered, and merely
by referring 10 his programme the
scout may verify the name of the play
er and forwarn his eleven what man TO
forestall in the particular play.
This puts a premium upon an at
tack that is constantly changing In its
precise method Of execution and gives
one coach about all the mental exer-
else during a season that he cares 20
partake Of. The unfairness of the
present system is obvious, for II a
rival scout can analyze my plays, great
h. ~
ers are numbered. we are taken at
disadvantage if We haven't the same
privilege"
Other points will be considered. DR..
Sharpe. of Cornell, would penalize
more severely the team which inter-
feres with a man receiving a forward
pass. Instead Of giving a penalty at
the place where the ball was passed, Or.
Sharpe believes the penalty should be
from the point where the interference
occurred. This would eliminate some
sharp practice which is supposed to
exist when a team would rather suffer
Il penalty than see forward pass sue
cessfully completed.
Protests are to be made against the
team in the lead Intentionally delaying
the game. There has been noticed a
tendency among the leading elevens IN
some cases to slow down their play
once they are ahead. This is an ethical
point which will provide a lively de-
bate.
Those present last night were z. X.
Hall, Dartmouth, chairman; Professor
Corwin. Yale; Professor A. A. Stagg,
Chicago; Parke H. Davis, Princeton;
Or Harry l.. Williams. Minnesota;
Walter Camp. Yale; DR.. James A. Bah
bitt Haverford; +. W Moore. Harvard;
Lieutenant Philip Hayes. West Point;
Lieutenant Paul J. Dashiel, Annapolis;
w. A. Lambeth, Virginia. Clyde Will
Jams. Iowa State University; William
A. Langford. Trinity; W. " Morlce,
Pennsylvania. and n. A. Tufts, Brown.
Tufts. Morice and Langford are mem
berr Of the affiliated board of officers.
Whatever definite changes are made IN
the 1915 playing code will be given out
to-day.