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Show WILL LIMD LEAVES GHIDIROM Famous Official Retires From America's Greatest College Athletic Sport. The retirement of William S. Lang-ford Lang-ford from the list of football officials available for eastern gridfron classics, has come as a bolt from the clear to many of the institutions which were wont lo depend upon the Trinity man's presence in an official capacity at the I important contest. j Langford kept his retirement an j absolute secret until he was ready for; the big announcement, nor has he as-i signed a reason for his action, but according to Walter Camp and other! grid authorities, it is not difficult to I : ascertain what prompted the step. Among the few officials obtainable I for the greatest of college gridiron contests, Langford was regarded as perhaps the best of a too small gathering. gather-ing. He was Impartiality itself and from the first to the last blast of tne whistle ho always insisted upon everything every-thing being strictly In accord with "tho book." The 1019 season with its close and gruelling games and its, many upsets in the dope, is no doubt rcsponBlble for Langford's decision to quit tho gridiorn. On two occasions ho was obliged to obtain police guard when he wax ready to leave the premi3es aftorthe game, when small groups of undergraduates threatened to assault as-sault him to avenge what they termed unfair rulings against their favorites. It is certain, however, that Langford Lang-ford anticipated taking this stop In 10.16. At that time ho complained that the pay $25 to $50 per game was not commensurate with the work done and the abuoo taken, but he was prevailed upon to remain on the rosier by those prominent hi intercollegiate circles, who partially promised to support sup-port a measure looking toward a rae in the salary of officials. Langford will be sorely missed. Not only was he fearless In the performance perfor-mance of his duty, but In tho role of referee he was somewhat of a .pec-j tacular figure on the big football fields, as he raced about the group of warriors. In and out with the agility of a cat, his arms waving the numbor-of numbor-of the clown and the direction of the ball. In tho matter of running the gaino and keeping tho crowds informed, inform-ed, Langford probably took more pains to lcavo nothing to guess than any other American official, University Univer-sity of Pennsylvania officials are hopeful that there Is yet a chance to persuade Langford to reconsider his plan to quit tho game. -cut |