New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-08
ct. Britain and
Canada Favor
Soccer Reform
International Federation Is
Expected to Adopt Plan
for Use of Substitutes
By c. A. Lovett

Both Canada and Great Britain, it
develops, are taking UP seriously the
proposal, first heard in this country,
to permit the use of substitutes in
league and cup competition soccer. SO
much in favor of the radical change
in the laws of the kicking game is be-
ing said and written that little doubt
but that the Federation international
de Football Association will adopt it
is entertained in soccer circles in the
United States.
Last Sundays Tribune article on the
subject has been widely quoted
throughout the Dominion Of Canada
and largely commented upon. Tom Wat
son, of "The Toronto Evening Tele-
gram" an acknowledged authority on
the game and one close to the leading
officials of the Dominion of Canada
Football Association, predicts that the
governing football body of the neigh
Dor country of the north will join with
the United States Football Association
in proposing the rule alteration which
will add greatly to the craftsmanship
of the game.
James A. Valdez, of Philadelphia.
secretary of the United States Ref
cree Union, calls our attention TO the
fact that in several international
matches on the other side of the At
lantlc substitutions have been per-
mltted. In one game, played between
Wales and England, he relates, three
goaikeepers were used on one side on
account of two of them being injured.
And in another game. between England
and Belgium, the Belgians' goalkeeper
was hurt. Vivian Woodward, captain
of the English team on both of the
occasions of which Valdez tells, sug-
gested that another player be allowed
to take the injured ones place. These
two instances, he says, can be taken
as precedents
In Scotland, Too
We are indebted to Harry Dale, the
noted Paterson, N. j., referee. for &C
counts of more recent allowance OF
substitutions in British football. Dale
cites extracts from October issues of
The Dundee Post" One. referring to
match, Dundee Hibs VS. Garrison XI,
says: Lieutenant Webb was unable to
resume after the interval but a sub
stitute was procured in Robertson, who
was to have done duty for the Hibs."
The following reference was to
later game, played between Dundee
Hibs and H. L. l., military team:
"Following a spirited attack from
corner, Captain McKinnon who is an
ex-Queen Parkerl had the misfortune
to injure his leg, and although he at
tempted to carry on, he had ultimately
to retire, and Sergeant Wilmington went
on as substituted
Commenting upon these newspaper
extracts, Dale said: at is evident from
these reports that the rule in the old
country regarding substitutes is under
going a change, and Pm firmly of the
opinion that the time has arrived in
the United States when we should take
cognizance of this obstruction to the
furtherance of the game.'
SO the familiar old line, Soccer was
first played by the Romans, but the
English and Scots were responsible for
bringing it up to its present high
Standard is about to undergo a change
to give the United States due credit
for the important reforms it is inau-
gurating annually.
Investigators Sitting
The special board of inquiry named
by President Peel. of the L. s. F. A.,
to take evidence in the cases of tam
pering with signed players in which
charges have been brought against sew
eral shipyards soccer club managers,
assembled last night at the Broadway
Central Hotel with host of witnesses
on hand. The scene reminded one of
police court on Saturday night, rather,
but with 7. W. Cahill, a volunteer, in
the role of sergeant alarms, every
thing was orderly in the early hours
of the session. Early hours is used
advsedly, for at o'clock this morning
the examining committee still was go
ing strong.
1t being impossible to present COM
prehensive report of proceedings this
a full account of the meeting
and its revelations Will be given in
these columns Monday. A deal OF linen
that has been in the laundry bag for
long time was being surrendered to
the (wash) board, according to latest
reports.
1t is hoped that the session will be
ended in time to permit the national
challenge cup competition committee.
L. S. F. A, to conduct the draw for
the third round of the national soccer
in the same hotel at
1920 o'clock this morning One pro
est and several charges against play
ers are to be heard