Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-13
JANSEN EXPLAINS.
The Staten Island Athlete Talks of
His Proposed League.
NOT TO KILL THE SMALLER CLUBS.
Amateur Athletes and Baseball Players Or
ganize at Williamsburg.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.I
NEW YORK, Nov. 12.-The proposed new
athletic league. of which Fred Jansen is
the prime mover, was fully explained by
that gentleman to-day. He is a member Of
the Staten Island Athletic Club, but to-
days explanation of his proposed league is
not by any means satisfactory to the repre-
sentative amateurs of this city. Mr.. JAMS
sens explanations are as follows:
Now that the proposed league of athletic
clubs has been commented upon by the
press throughout the country, kindly allow
me to say a few words in behalf of tine
league and its objects, so that those who
have misconstrued the original ideas and in
tentions of its promoters may realize the
true benefits to be derived from an organi-
zation of this character.
First-I desire it to be clearly and dis
tinctly understood that the league does not
seek in any way the destruction of the
Amateur Athletic Union.
The league, as limited organization,
proposes to establish an entirely new de-
parture in the world of clubs. 1t desires to
encourage and promote among its members
social intercourse and such games and sports
as billiards, pool, football, court tennis,
bowling, rackets, baseball, shooting, whist,
polo, riding, yachting and a number Of
others that the A. A. q. as body takes no
interest in. Sports such as running, walk
ing, jumping, swimming, gymnastics.
wrestling and boxing simply appear on the
leagues calendar in the same category as
lawn tennis, boating, bicycling and skating,
each with its distinctive national legislative
body, as they do upon the calendar of the
A A. U.
Not to Kill Smaller Clubs.
Suppose for example, the strictly social
clubs of the country were to combine in
body and form either league or national
for similar purposes, the larger
athletic clubs of the country would un-
doubtedly join. This would not be looked
upon as antagonistic TO the A. A. u, and
as such a movement has been anticipated by
athletic clubs, there should be no miscon-
of the leagues purposes.
Second-I also wish to correct the i'm
preston that the league is formed for the
purpose of eliminating the smaller clubs
and catering to an exclusive and aristocratic
class.
The A. A. U. demands that clubs shall
have certain qualifications and requisite
number of members before they are eligible
for membership The league requires the
same. 1t would not be fair for club with
a small membership and without property
to have an equal voice with club OF ten
times its size.
For this reason it was deemed advisable
to divide the clubs into two classes, and the
qualification OF either 400 members or $780,
700 worth of property was specified as the
lividing line.
Third-The public does not seem to un-
lerstand that there are number OF promi-
lent and flourishing athletic clubs which
ierive absolutely no benefit from the Anna
eur Athletic Union, for the simple reason
hat the latter does not cater to the in
erests of these clubs nor can it be expected
%, and thus it becomes the more apparent
hat they will be largely benefited by be-
coming members of the proposed league.
IF the % representative and successful
lthletic clubs mentioned for membership in
he league, 10 are never represented in any
# the Amateur Athletic Union competi-
ions.
The Social Element.
Some of these clubs are not even members |
If the union, but have gained prominence by |
,eing associated with minor leagues, which,
IN account of being limited organizations,
lave been able to legislate to their own par
icular interests. refer especially to the |
)range-Crescent Football League, Staten |
Island -Englewood Baseball League and the |
Athletic Club Bowling League which have !
proved successful.
Fourth-No one will deny the fact that |
he larger athletic organizations are gaining
/ larger social element and also that team |
contests are gradually taking the individual
therefore limited leagues with
United jurisdiction and rulings that are re-
pected and enforced are infinitely prefer
lble to national organizations with rulings
hat are not enforced. In limited leagues
he person who is in sport for pleasure and
is known as an amateur, while the
,ne who is paid for his services in sport for
consideration is known as the
although the two may COM
,ete together side by side.
We have two classes in sports, the amateur
md professional, each with its distinctive
md praiseworthy merits, and while there is
10 discredit in an athlete being professional
here is a decided objection to professional
as an amateur, or, in the
words of our esteemed old friend, Mr.. Dana,
tNever nrint a Maid advertisement aS read- !