Evening star., 1932-12-30
Injuries and Fatalities Few
Compared to Number Play.
ing, Report Holds.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

Presented today to the convention of
the National Collegiate Athletic Asso-
cation by the committee secretary, Will
liam 8. Langford, the report appeals for
suspension Of judgment while the
rules-makers OF the game combine with
coaches, officials and other college lead
ers IN their continued efforts to locate
remedies for new-found hazards and
make the sport as safe as is humanity
possible.
The report also decried the continued
lndiscriminate use OF the forward pass
to q point where new rules may be
needed to check it. dwelt on the accom-
plishments made under the rules
changes of 1882, pointed out the les
sons learned from economic deflation
and paid glowing tribute to the achieve
chairman. whose death this year was
described as an ''irreparable loss to
foot ball."
A THOUGH noting the impossibility.
"A in . game involving so much
physical contact. OF eliminating
accidents and injuries entirely, or by
the modification OF the rules alone, the
report says:
THE number of serious and fatal
injuries which have been reported by
the press as occurring during the season
of 1882 Is disconcerting at the moment,
as 1t was confidently expected that the
changes in rules which were effected
last February would bring about
much lower average and although there
has been material decrease from last
season, the casualty list as reported
must be regarded as a problem OF
serious import.
From the preliminary information at
hand it appears that by far the larger
percentage Of these accidents occurred
in high school and sandlot games
in direct ratio to the lack Of super
vision exercised-and that but three
cases resulting fatally occurred in col
leges holding membership in this asso-
citation.
In the meantime it is only fair
that judgment should be withheld until,
after mature and deliberate considera-
tn of the facts, proper solutions may
be reached
TIE report by Langford was pre-
i pared in advance of publication
yais week of the detailed analysis
O. 1892 foot ball accidents, showing at
] 50 deaths attributable directly to
/ - ball en- the sandlots, IN the high
lccls and colleges. This compared
VI over 40 deaths in 1881.
.lE 4IS'CAtAASaeh'0f eAie1
an analysis of the 1881 accidents, made
las Winter, Showed that the so-called
fatality list charged to foot ball was
more than so per cent misIea ding and
inaccurate and that there were but
q deaths which could be at all prop
er1y chargeable to the game, with
OF these doubtful
been estimated that at least 100000
played the game in 1881, and If this be
accurate, it means that the mortality
rate was less than three one-hun-
dredths of l per cent. While the death
of even a single player is most regret
table, it Is felt that the arraignment
of foot ball on this score has been
too severely drawn in some quarters"
THE reports only specific hint on
i further rules revision Is based on "a
growing tendency toward the fur
ther employment of the forward pass,
the desirability of which Is open to
question"
"Suggestions made and at times
urged upon the committee to restrict
the use of the forward pass have been
postponed in the hope that this would
adjust itself" the report continues,
s'but unless some other way is found to
curb the indiscrn mate throwing OF the
ball. 1t Is probable that some future
committee will have to find solution
in order to restore the balance OF Of
fensive strategy"
Discussing the seasons effects gen.
orally, the report says:
Lowered incomes have forced a
healthy reduction in the price OF ad-
mission tickets, which the imposition OF
taxes by the Government has partially
h1tI
be pared by the elimination Of unnec-
essary and luxurious practices. some of
which had had demoralizing effect upon
the plavers and followers of the game.
It 10 to be hoped that foot ball will
have learned its lesson from the rise
and fall which has occurred and that
1t will not only place, but keep. manage
ment upon a sound economic basis
hereafter and avoid inf1ations which
have taken place in the past decade"
THE selection Of a new chairman for
the Rules Committee and the
election of a new N. c. A. A. pres
ident remained as the chief items Of
unfinished business.
In view of the major revision made
In the playing code last February, the
Rules Committees report was expected
to advocate no radical CHANCES at this
time There was a general feeln9
among coaches and rule-makers that
the alterations made in the Spring have
been effective in reducing injuries and
that no further changes were needed
now.
Walter R. Okeson Of Bethlehem,
Pa, was slated for election as
chairman of the Rules Committee,
succeeding the late E. K. Hall. Previ-
ouslv 1t had been understood that the
lob would be given to William S.
Iangford, secretary of the committee
for many years, but it was understood
that in the interests of the smooth
functioning of the rules body Langford
would retain his present pNt and Oke-
son be named to the Craftsmanship.
Iangford himself told friends he had
no desire to assume the Craftsmanship
and would prefer to see 1t go to Okeson.
Okeson, an officer OF Lehigh Univer-
sitv. now Is commissioner of the East
ern intercollegiate Association.
The four-year terms of two com
mittee members. H. J. Stegeman of the
University of Georgia, and Amos Alonzo
Stasg OF Chicago, have expired, but 1t
was understood both would be re-
elected
MOST prominently mentioned for
Nl the presidency of the N. C. A. A.
was Maj: John L GEifhth OF chi
ference Another leading candidate was
DR.. s. v. Sanford, president OF the
University of Georgia.
I'M. .s&;.;,,o ,racidopf Dr Hha r1oc