Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-11
ATHLETIC COMPETITION.
ONE oF THE FEATURES TO BE INTRO
DUCED at THE STATE FAIR.
Local Athletes Are Now Eligible to Com
pete-A Special Race for Them
The Programme.

Ever since the announcement was made
that the State Agricultural Society had de-
cided to offer $500 worth of prizes for
an amateur athletic field day during the
coming State Fair, and that the manage
ment Of the affair had been placed in the
hands of the Pacific Coast Amateur Ath-
letic Association, there has been consider
able discussion going on among local ath-
letes ard those in other paris of the State
as to whether they would be allowed TO
compete or not-they not being members
of any club belonging 10 the Pacific Coast
Amateur Athletic Association.
The Sacramento Amateur Athletic Club,
having among its members several athletes
who were willing TO compete at the games,
became anxious about the matter, too, and
few days ago sent representative to San
Francisco to get full particulars from
the Pacific Coast Amateur Athletic
Association. This representative had
lengthy interview with Walter A.
Scott President of the Association, and
learned from that gentleman that no per-
sons except members of Association clubs
would be allowed to compete. The Sacra-
mento man expressed some indignation at
this, and gave it as his opinion that the
Association, which, outside of the Garden
City Club of San JOSE is composed entirely
OF Bay clubs, was trying to hog" every
thing, and freeze out deserving amateurs
from other parts of the State, particularly
those of Sacramento.
Mr.. Scott, however, assured the gentle
man that he did not understand the situa-
ton, and proceeded to explain. This As
ISOLATION" he said, lis part of system of
athletic government which extends all over
the United States, and when we say that
man is an amateur he can compete in anna
teur games anywhere in the Union. On
the other hand, when We suspend an ath-
lete for engaging in a wagered race, or
something against amateur laws, be cannot
complete in amateur games, until such
suspension is removed. Now, amateurs
are debarred from competing for money
prizes and from competing against pro-
fessionals either for prizes or where gate
money is charged. The object OF holding
competitions open only to members of
ass ociaied clubs. either in this or in other
States, ia 10 throw the burden Of proof of
an athletes amateur standing upon the
associated club of which he is member.
You can realize what hopeless task it
would be for us to attempt to investigate
the amateur standing of every competitor
at the State Fair games should they be
thrown open to all amateurs. You know
how frequently it occurs that young men
in the country-and the cities, 100, for that
matter-run races for money, and such &C.
ton makes professional runners of them.
1t is to guard against allowing such to
compete that we have 10 follow strict
rule in receiving entries. The only aim OF
the association is to foster competitions for
the sake of the sport itself and not with
any view to u contestant gaining money
thereby. In other words, a line is drawn
between gentlemen who compete for the
pleasure it affords them and the pro-
fessionsl who completes for living and
has ouly monetary gain in view. Unless we
combine TO this end it can never be ac-
coupl;shed"
A special meeting of the Board of Man
ayers Of the Sacramento Athletic Club was
called upon the return of its represent
alive and his report was heard The Board
readily saw the logic of Mr.. SCOTS argu-
menl and after a short debate unani-
mously decided that the Sacramento Club
should become member of the 2. Q. A.
A A. Notice to that effect was forwarded
to Mr. Scott and as a result the Sacramento
BOYS will be seen at the games.
Ia letter to the club Mr.. Scott explained
how those amateurs who live in counties
and towns surrounding Sacramento could
compete, too. He suggested that they be-
come membeFs-temporarily, if they
choose-of the local club, the cost of
which would be TOO slight to be any con-
sideration 10 a man who is really ambi-
tious to compete. The local club, how
ever, will be held responsible for sny pro
fessionala slipping in, SO he warns the club
to be very careful that none bat bona fide
amateurs are admitted.
In Difference ~ the local clubs ackuowl-
edgment Of the association position IN the
matter. the programme for The field day
has been changed 50 as to include special
go ysrc handicap race, op-n only TO men,
bers of the Sacramento Athletic Club, as
will be seen in the programme.
The Stale Agricultural Society has de-
cided TO have the games take place on the
morning of the 18th Of Septem ber-Wed-
nesday. Toe com plete programme is as
follows
lC0-yard run. handicap.
4i0-yaId run. icrateh.
Emile run, handicap.
kJ-yard run, handicap.
So0-yard run, scratch
1mile-walk, handicap.
120-yard hurdle race 10 hurdles, three feet six
inches Highly, handicap.
50yard rum scratch.
220-yard run, handicap; open only to mem
bers of Sacramento Athletic Club.
Entries close Saturday, August 3Oth, at P. NJ,
with Walter A. Scott, President p. G. A. A. A.,
Olympic Athletic Club, 40 oFarren street San
Francisco.
cold medal TO first and silver medal TO second
IN each event.
Each entry must be accompanied by fifty
cents, which will be returned to starters, and
must state contestants full name and club,
mt xrh ha daSir pS tn
cents for eaeh) date, place and result OF three
asst performances, with name of scratch man
and result of each = whether first, second,
third, fourth, or unplaced. If contesI ant has
never before competed, simply specify nov
ice" Furnishing false or misleading informa-
ton viii subject entry to rejection Any event
which does not properly fill Will be struck out.
The local athletes are jubilsnt over the
turn matters nave taken, and number OF
them started in training yes erday for the
various events. There are thought to be
several SPEEDY runners among them, and
VI h the favorable handicaps they will re-
ceive ought to keep several of the gold
medals 81 home They will have an addi-
ti0nal advantage Oh being accustomed to
running IN warm weather. But they will
have some very hard men 10 cope with.
Y ctor Shiiferstein, who holds the worlds
championship at 100 yards, and is also
fast 220-yard man. as well as the best broad
Jumper on the coast has signited his inten-
ton OF competing. p. d. Skillman, for
merly of the New York Athletic Club, but
now of the Olympic Club of San Francisco,
" no holds the mile record, will come. as
will also, Cooley, Shuster, Coe. Espinsa,
Coffin, Jervis (the champion walker, Pur-
cell, and host of others, many OF whom
are record breakers.
THE TIMBER BOOM.
Opening Up of Great Industry In This
and FL Dorado Counties.
An annrnnni1s amount of timber and