Las Vegas Age

NEW RULES OF FOOTBALL TO DECREASE HURTS

By STUART CAMERON

(United Press Sports Editor)

NEW YORK. Feb. 15. (U.P.) - Football's new playing code, announced today by the rules committee, will result in a decrease of casualties, according to well-informed football authorities.

The new rules which eliminate several former hazards will not, however, rob the game of its many spectacular phases.

They provide for:

1. Abolition of the flying tackle and flying block.

2. Elimination of the kickoff flying wedge.

3. Greater latitude in making substitutions.

4. Stopping play when the ball carriers' body, except hands or feet, touches the ground.

5. Prohibiting defensive players from striking opponent on head with hand, wrist, forearm or elbow.

Chick Meehan thinks the changes are great. Meehan is former coach at New York university and is now at Manhattan college. He's also a busy building trades contractor. You find him in his office facing a battery of phones and a sheaf of business that belies depression.

Little Chick swings around in the swivel chair that seems to almost swallow him.

"What are the changes?" he asks. You tell him.

"They're great. Want to know the best change? It's the third one. You know, not all injuries are alike. There are some that are sudden and mighty painful. They hurt so much that a boy doesn't retain full control of his faculties. And further and more serious injuries result.

"The other changes are all to the good, too. Don't worry, football will be just as spectacular as ever."

You go up to Columbia university. Scholarly-appearing Lou Little greets you in his office. He peers over his pince-nez glasses.

"Of course I think the changes are fine," the Columbia coach says.

"The rules committee had me sitting in in an advisory capacity.

"I don't claim credit for any of the changes. But as I see it, the committee realized something had to be done to eliminate some risks. I think the committee has done a great job."